Hector
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Every Hector since 1880 — 109,209 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Hector
Hector is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #409 in 2025 with 779 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 109,209 American babies have been named Hector. Its peak came in 2005, when 2,458 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
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 Hector stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Hector 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 | — | — | 779 | #409 |
| 2024 | — | — | 864 | #379 |
| 2023 | — | — | 831 | #385 |
| 2022 | — | — | 927 | #355 |
| 2021 | — | — | 901 | #361 |
| 2020 | — | — | 856 | #365 |
| 2019 | — | — | 985 | #341 |
| 2018 | — | — | 1,012 | #331 |
| 2017 | — | — | 1,074 | #318 |
| 2016 | — | — | 1,100 | #319 |
| 2015 | — | — | 1,194 | #303 |
| 2014 | — | — | 1,214 | #292 |
| 2013 | — | — | 1,257 | #277 |
| 2012 | — | — | 1,325 | #267 |
| 2011 | — | — | 1,414 | #248 |
| 2010 | — | — | 1,562 | #226 |
| 2009 | — | — | 1,845 | #204 |
| 2008 | 7 | #14,384 | 2,179 | #182 |
| 2007 | — | — | 2,243 | #183 |
| 2006 | — | — | 2,327 | #175 |
| 2005 | — | — | 2,458 | #167 |
| 2004 | 5 | #17,073 | 2,004 | #192 |
| 2003 | — | — | 1,998 | #189 |
| 2002 | — | — | 1,942 | #195 |
| 2001 | 5 | #16,251 | 1,905 | #193 |
| 2000 | — | — | 1,979 | #185 |
| 1995 | 11 | #7,706 | 1,877 | #175 |
| 1990 | 12 | #7,030 | 1,991 | #156 |
| 1985 | 14 | #5,157 | 1,492 | #178 |
| 1980 | 21 | #3,760 | 1,448 | #169 |
| 1975 | 14 | #4,428 | 1,245 | #182 |
| 1970 | 11 | #4,861 | 1,125 | #220 |
| 1965 | 7 | #5,480 | 967 | #235 |
| 1960 | — | — | 871 | #271 |
| 1955 | — | — | 800 | #247 |
| 1950 | — | — | 473 | #315 |
| 1945 | — | — | 258 | #374 |
| 1940 | — | — | 192 | #422 |
| 1935 | 5 | #4,490 | 175 | #420 |
| 1930 | — | — | 198 | #420 |
| 1925 | — | — | 138 | #523 |
| 1920 | — | — | 119 | #573 |
| 1915 | — | — | 108 | #536 |
| 1910 | — | — | 18 | #718 |
| 1905 | — | — | 12 | #723 |
| 1900 | — | — | 19 | #568 |
| 1895 | — | — | 7 | #928 |
| 1890 | — | — | 6 | #937 |
| 1885 | — | — | 9 | #669 |
| 1880 | — | — | 15 | #473 |
Famous people named Hector
- Hector Berlioz Composer · 1803–1869
- Hector Malot Writer · 1830–1907
- Hector Guimard Architect · 1867–1942
- Hector Hodler Social activist · 1887–1920
- Hector Bianciotti Writer · 1930–2012
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hector mean?
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How popular is the name Hector in 2025?
Hector ranked #409 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 779 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Hector?
109,209 babies have been named Hector in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Hector most popular?
Hector peaked in 2005, when 2,458 newborns received the name.
Is Hector a boy or girl name?
Hector is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Hector rising or falling?
Hector is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Hector?
Well-known people named Hector include Hector Berlioz (composer), Hector Malot (writer), Hector Guimard (architect).