Early
Every Early since 1880 — 4,362 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Early
Early is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,817 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 4,362 American babies have been named Early — about 91% boys and 9% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1921, when 99 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
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 Early stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Early 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 | — | — | 10 | #7,817 |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | 10 | #7,921 |
| 2021 | — | — | 5 | #12,656 |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | 7 | #10,028 |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | 6 | #11,101 |
| 2015 | — | — | 13 | #6,427 |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | 6 | #15,159 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | 8 | #9,221 |
| 2008 | — | — | 5 | #13,085 |
| 2007 | — | — | 6 | #11,325 |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | 5 | #11,868 |
| 2003 | — | — | 5 | #11,385 |
| 2002 | — | — | 5 | #11,178 |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | 11 | #6,029 |
| 1995 | — | — | 7 | #7,226 |
| 1990 | — | — | 13 | #4,240 |
| 1985 | — | — | 13 | #3,465 |
| 1980 | — | — | 6 | #5,727 |
| 1975 | — | — | 7 | #4,464 |
| 1970 | — | — | 26 | #1,717 |
| 1965 | — | — | 22 | #1,682 |
| 1960 | — | — | 31 | #1,441 |
| 1955 | 11 | #3,637 | 40 | #1,188 |
| 1950 | 9 | #3,754 | 43 | #1,078 |
| 1945 | — | — | 49 | #918 |
| 1940 | 10 | #2,793 | 44 | #970 |
| 1935 | 6 | #3,877 | 43 | #971 |
| 1930 | 8 | #3,433 | 57 | #876 |
| 1925 | 5 | #5,176 | 77 | #748 |
| 1920 | 9 | #3,403 | 76 | #757 |
| 1915 | — | — | 71 | #694 |
| 1910 | 6 | #2,212 | 33 | #482 |
| 1905 | — | — | 18 | #552 |
| 1900 | — | — | 29 | #419 |
| 1895 | — | — | 24 | #391 |
| 1890 | — | — | 23 | #371 |
| 1885 | — | — | 15 | #485 |
| 1880 | — | — | 11 | #580 |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Early in 2025?
Early ranked #7,817 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Early?
4,362 babies have been named Early in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Early most popular?
Early peaked in 1921, when 99 newborns received the name.
Is Early a boy or girl name?
Early is used for both: about 9% of babies named Early have been girls and 91% boys.
Is the name Early rising or falling?
Early is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.