Dewey
Every Dewey since 1887 — 34,920 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Dewey
Dewey is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,870 in 2025 with 28 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1887, 34,920 American babies have been named Dewey. Its peak came in 1898, when 1,219 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the late 1800s.
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 Dewey stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Dewey year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 28 | #3,870 |
| 2024 | — | — | 31 | #3,628 |
| 2023 | — | — | 23 | #4,492 |
| 2022 | — | — | 19 | #5,073 |
| 2021 | — | — | 35 | #3,315 |
| 2020 | — | — | 30 | #3,594 |
| 2019 | — | — | 28 | #3,824 |
| 2018 | — | — | 26 | #4,020 |
| 2017 | — | — | 28 | #3,800 |
| 2016 | — | — | 16 | #5,614 |
| 2015 | — | — | 17 | #5,352 |
| 2014 | — | — | 17 | #5,305 |
| 2013 | — | — | 28 | #3,684 |
| 2012 | — | — | 33 | #3,318 |
| 2011 | — | — | 21 | #4,540 |
| 2010 | — | — | 20 | #4,719 |
| 2009 | — | — | 25 | #4,065 |
| 2008 | — | — | 36 | #3,176 |
| 2007 | — | — | 42 | #2,830 |
| 2006 | — | — | 27 | #3,706 |
| 2005 | — | — | 30 | #3,336 |
| 2004 | — | — | 38 | #2,755 |
| 2003 | — | — | 30 | #3,137 |
| 2002 | — | — | 33 | #2,834 |
| 2001 | — | — | 24 | #3,533 |
| 2000 | — | — | 32 | #2,820 |
| 1995 | — | — | 36 | #2,221 |
| 1990 | — | — | 65 | #1,386 |
| 1985 | — | — | 67 | #1,138 |
| 1980 | — | — | 134 | #758 |
| 1975 | — | — | 164 | #630 |
| 1970 | — | — | 228 | #535 |
| 1965 | — | — | 271 | #473 |
| 1960 | — | — | 318 | #452 |
| 1955 | — | — | 403 | #362 |
| 1950 | 6 | #4,872 | 393 | #340 |
| 1945 | — | — | 478 | #273 |
| 1940 | 9 | #3,017 | 542 | #229 |
| 1935 | 12 | #2,464 | 503 | #231 |
| 1930 | 18 | #1,958 | 653 | #205 |
| 1925 | 18 | #2,132 | 798 | #181 |
| 1920 | 11 | #2,956 | 619 | #208 |
| 1915 | — | — | 286 | #301 |
| 1910 | — | — | 87 | #261 |
| 1905 | — | — | 99 | #184 |
| 1900 | 9 | #1,346 | 345 | #75 |
| 1895 | — | — | 28 | #349 |
| 1890 | — | — | 16 | #464 |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Dewey in 2025?
Dewey ranked #3,870 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 28 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Dewey?
34,920 babies have been named Dewey in the United States since 1887, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Dewey most popular?
Dewey peaked in 1898, when 1,219 newborns received the name.
Is Dewey a boy or girl name?
Dewey is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Dewey rising or falling?
Dewey is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.