Cotton
Every Cotton since 1918 — 507 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cotton
Cotton is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,388 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1918, 507 American babies have been named Cotton. Its peak came in 2015, when 31 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Cotton stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cotton year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | #8,388 |
| 2024 | 9 | #8,458 |
| 2023 | 12 | #6,980 |
| 2022 | 10 | #7,878 |
| 2021 | 13 | #6,401 |
| 2020 | 16 | #5,504 |
| 2019 | 22 | #4,510 |
| 2018 | 20 | #4,778 |
| 2017 | 17 | #5,334 |
| 2016 | 18 | #5,174 |
| 2015 | 31 | #3,527 |
| 2014 | 22 | #4,421 |
| 2013 | 20 | #4,652 |
| 2012 | 13 | #6,388 |
| 2011 | 30 | #3,528 |
| 2010 | 17 | #5,291 |
| 2009 | 17 | #5,370 |
| 2008 | 9 | #8,438 |
| 2007 | 13 | #6,337 |
| 2006 | 13 | #6,167 |
| 2005 | 17 | #4,865 |
| 2004 | 12 | #6,208 |
| 2003 | 7 | #8,833 |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | 11 | #6,096 |
| 2000 | 5 | #10,676 |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 6 | #7,351 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | 5 | #6,428 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Cotton
- Cotton Mather Writer · 1663–1728
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Cotton in 2025?
Cotton ranked #8,388 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Cotton?
507 babies have been named Cotton in the United States since 1918, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cotton most popular?
Cotton peaked in 2015, when 31 newborns received the name.
Is Cotton a boy or girl name?
Cotton is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cotton rising or falling?
Cotton is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Cotton?
Well-known people named Cotton include Cotton Mather (writer).