boys' name · peaked 1921

Hardy

From Old English *Hearda + īeġ (“island, dry land in a marsh”).

Every Hardy since 1880 — 5,831 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
0.080.150.230.318801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#2,496
among boys
Babies in 2025
54
named Hardy
Peak year
1921
151 babies
All-time total
5,831
since 1880

The story of Hardy

Hardy is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,496 in 2025 with 54 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 5,831 American babies have been named Hardy. Its peak came in 1921, when 151 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 Hardy stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Hardy 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 54 #2,496
2024 53 #2,538
2023 39 #3,139
2022 7 #12,723 63 #2,278
2021 52 #2,534
2020 38 #3,039
2019 37 #3,161
2018 35 #3,264
2017 32 #3,475
2016 48 #2,599
2015 43 #2,784
2014 32 #3,408
2013 20 #4,688
2012 28 #3,743
2011 20 #4,723
2010 17 #5,334
2009 22 #4,484
2008 13 #6,537
2007 13 #6,394
2006 28 #3,635
2005 20 #4,377
2004 15 #5,345
2003 20 #4,170
2002 22 #3,842
2001 17 #4,561
2000 10 #6,497
1995 13 #4,622
1990 24 #2,729
1985 19 #2,637
1980 21 #2,394
1975 32 #1,603
1970 36 #1,403
1965 40 #1,212
1960 53 #1,062
1955 55 #1,018
1950 54 #939
1945 71 #730
1940 62 #790
1935 63 #782
1930 59 #861
1925 83 #712
1920 111 #594
1915 55 #827
1910 26 #560
1905 8 #960
1900 26 #450
1895 18 #481
1890 27 #336
1885 15 #491
1880 19 #396

Famous people named Hardy

  1. Hardy Krüger Actor · b. 1928

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

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Hardy mean?

From Old English *Hearda + īeġ (“island, dry land in a marsh”).

How popular is the name Hardy in 2025?

Hardy ranked #2,496 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 54 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Hardy?

5,831 babies have been named Hardy in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Hardy most popular?

Hardy peaked in 1921, when 151 newborns received the name.

Is Hardy a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Hardy rising or falling?

Hardy is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Hardy?

Well-known people named Hardy include Hardy Krüger (actor).

Names like Hardy

Compare Hardy with similar names →