Dow
Every Dow since 1880 — 1,091 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Dow
Dow is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 1,091 American babies have been named Dow. Its peak came in 1962, when 26 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
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 Dow stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Dow year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | 5 | #12,571 |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | 5 | #11,937 |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | 5 | #11,365 |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | 8 | #7,639 |
| 1995 | 5 | #9,243 |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 8 | #3,600 |
| 1965 | 11 | #2,513 |
| 1960 | 14 | #2,240 |
| 1955 | 10 | #2,629 |
| 1950 | 10 | #2,476 |
| 1945 | 13 | #1,951 |
| 1940 | 10 | #2,369 |
| 1935 | 13 | #2,061 |
| 1930 | 20 | #1,659 |
| 1925 | 17 | #1,951 |
| 1920 | 18 | #1,903 |
| 1915 | 15 | #1,898 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | 5 | #1,122 |
| 1890 | 9 | #683 |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | 5 | #944 |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Dow in 2025?
Dow did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Dow?
1,091 babies have been named Dow in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Dow most popular?
Dow peaked in 1962, when 26 newborns received the name.
Is Dow a boy or girl name?
Dow is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Dow rising or falling?
Dow is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.