Dusty
A diminutive of the male given name Dustin.
Every Dusty since 1927 — 15,131 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Dusty
Dusty is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,532 in 2025 with 32 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1927, 15,131 American babies have been named Dusty — about 70% boys and 30% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1981, when 831 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
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 Dusty stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Dusty 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 | 9 | #10,316 | 32 | #3,532 |
| 2024 | 17 | #6,707 | 26 | #4,104 |
| 2023 | 14 | #7,746 | 34 | #3,437 |
| 2022 | 19 | #6,281 | 45 | #2,838 |
| 2021 | 16 | #7,041 | 31 | #3,600 |
| 2020 | 15 | #7,312 | 38 | #3,034 |
| 2019 | 13 | #8,247 | 37 | #3,155 |
| 2018 | 16 | #7,191 | 30 | #3,630 |
| 2017 | 10 | #10,168 | 34 | #3,332 |
| 2016 | 14 | #8,116 | 38 | #3,077 |
| 2015 | 16 | #7,369 | 48 | #2,575 |
| 2014 | 14 | #8,174 | 42 | #2,822 |
| 2013 | 8 | #12,317 | 54 | #2,343 |
| 2012 | 17 | #7,231 | 49 | #2,528 |
| 2011 | 13 | #8,771 | 34 | #3,259 |
| 2010 | 15 | #8,005 | 60 | #2,191 |
| 2009 | 10 | #10,902 | 77 | #1,876 |
| 2008 | 13 | #9,116 | 68 | #2,044 |
| 2007 | 18 | #7,168 | 81 | #1,800 |
| 2006 | 13 | #8,868 | 84 | #1,689 |
| 2005 | 21 | #5,876 | 106 | #1,404 |
| 2004 | 21 | #5,809 | 93 | #1,470 |
| 2003 | 20 | #5,879 | 93 | #1,421 |
| 2002 | 20 | #5,731 | 102 | #1,310 |
| 2001 | 28 | #4,353 | 102 | #1,290 |
| 2000 | 37 | #3,541 | 118 | #1,167 |
| 1995 | 60 | #2,224 | 223 | #714 |
| 1990 | 55 | #2,300 | 249 | #642 |
| 1985 | 94 | #1,375 | 352 | #457 |
| 1980 | 289 | #631 | 495 | #359 |
| 1975 | 206 | #719 | 148 | #676 |
| 1970 | 103 | #1,137 | 138 | #707 |
| 1965 | 20 | #2,766 | 77 | #839 |
| 1960 | 13 | #3,550 | 90 | #806 |
| 1955 | 9 | #4,157 | 78 | #831 |
| 1950 | 13 | #2,946 | 41 | #1,107 |
| 1945 | 9 | #3,204 | 6 | #3,093 |
| 1940 | — | — | 5 | #3,590 |
| 1935 | — | — | 5 | #3,808 |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Dusty
- Dusty Springfield Singer · 1939–1999
- Dusty Rhodes Wrestler · 1945–2015
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dusty mean?
A diminutive of the male given name Dustin.
How popular is the name Dusty in 2025?
Dusty ranked #3,532 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 32 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Dusty?
15,131 babies have been named Dusty in the United States since 1927, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Dusty most popular?
Dusty peaked in 1981, when 831 newborns received the name.
Is Dusty a boy or girl name?
Dusty is used for both: about 30% of babies named Dusty have been girls and 70% boys.
Is the name Dusty rising or falling?
Dusty is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Dusty?
Well-known people named Dusty include Dusty Springfield (singer), Dusty Rhodes (wrestler).