Gaines
Every Gaines since 1882 — 1,717 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Gaines
Gaines is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,093 in 2025 with 19 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1882, 1,717 American babies have been named Gaines. Its peak came in 1915, when 32 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
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 Gaines stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Gaines year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 | #5,093 |
| 2024 | 13 | #6,582 |
| 2023 | 17 | #5,532 |
| 2022 | 15 | #5,959 |
| 2021 | 23 | #4,410 |
| 2020 | 31 | #3,519 |
| 2019 | 20 | #4,850 |
| 2018 | 28 | #3,818 |
| 2017 | 25 | #4,149 |
| 2016 | 29 | #3,716 |
| 2015 | 18 | #5,134 |
| 2014 | 19 | #4,937 |
| 2013 | 15 | #5,751 |
| 2012 | 9 | #8,387 |
| 2011 | 11 | #7,158 |
| 2010 | 13 | #6,472 |
| 2009 | 14 | #6,204 |
| 2008 | 15 | #5,865 |
| 2007 | 16 | #5,509 |
| 2006 | 10 | #7,610 |
| 2005 | 7 | #9,446 |
| 2004 | 5 | #11,953 |
| 2003 | 7 | #8,978 |
| 2002 | 6 | #9,781 |
| 2001 | 7 | #8,610 |
| 2000 | 7 | #8,492 |
| 1995 | 10 | #5,638 |
| 1990 | 5 | #8,568 |
| 1985 | 7 | #5,345 |
| 1980 | 6 | #5,768 |
| 1975 | 10 | #3,515 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | 5 | #4,104 |
| 1960 | 16 | #2,065 |
| 1955 | 19 | #1,809 |
| 1950 | 26 | #1,446 |
| 1945 | 21 | #1,462 |
| 1940 | 28 | #1,282 |
| 1935 | 11 | #2,301 |
| 1930 | 25 | #1,473 |
| 1925 | 25 | #1,510 |
| 1920 | 18 | #1,912 |
| 1915 | 32 | #1,149 |
| 1910 | 6 | #1,478 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | 7 | #1,088 |
| 1895 | 5 | #1,145 |
| 1890 | 5 | #1,056 |
| 1885 | 5 | #993 |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Gaines in 2025?
Gaines ranked #5,093 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 19 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Gaines?
1,717 babies have been named Gaines in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Gaines most popular?
Gaines peaked in 1915, when 32 newborns received the name.
Is Gaines a boy or girl name?
Gaines is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Gaines rising or falling?
Gaines has been roughly stable over the past decade.