boys' name · peaked 1931

Gaylord

Derived from the Old French surname Gaillard (from gaillard (“strong”)), via Anglo-Norman.

Every Gaylord since 1882 — 6,091 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.050.10.150.218801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Gaylord
Peak year
1931
168 babies
All-time total
6,091
since 1882

The story of Gaylord

Gaylord 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 1882, 6,091 American babies have been named Gaylord. Its peak came in 1931, when 168 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1930s.

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 Gaylord stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Gaylord 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
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1995
1990 7 #6,675
1985 9 #4,447
1980 11 #3,702
1975 20 #2,240
1970 23 #1,865
1965 26 #1,535
1960 39 #1,259
1955 65 #924
1950 94 #708
1945 116 #555
1940 127 #514
1935 109 #551
1930 132 #522
1925 112 #594
1920 126 #548
1915 109 #532
1910 13 #891
1905 11 #762
1900 8 #994
1895 5 #1,147
1890
1885 5 #995
1880

Famous people named Gaylord

  1. Gaylord Nelson Politician · 1916–2005

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Gaylord mean?

Derived from the Old French surname Gaillard (from gaillard (“strong”)), via Anglo-Norman.

How popular is the name Gaylord in 2025?

Gaylord 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 Gaylord?

6,091 babies have been named Gaylord in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Gaylord most popular?

Gaylord peaked in 1931, when 168 newborns received the name.

Is Gaylord a boy or girl name?

Gaylord is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Gaylord rising or falling?

Gaylord has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Gaylord?

Well-known people named Gaylord include Gaylord Nelson (politician).

Names like Gaylord

Compare Gaylord with similar names →