boys' name · peaked 1920

Hiram

From Biblical Hebrew חִירָם (Ḥirám, “high-born”), possibly from Phoenician, or a shortened form of אֲחִירָם ('aḥirám, “brother of the exalted”).

Every Hiram since 1880 — 14,456 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
0.250.50.75118801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1881Boys
Rank 2025
#1,639
among boys
Babies in 2025
103
named Hiram
Peak year
1920
221 babies
All-time total
14,456
since 1880

The story of Hiram

Hiram is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #1,639 in 2025 with 103 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 14,456 American babies have been named Hiram. Its peak came in 1920, when 221 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 Hiram stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Hiram year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 103 #1,639
2024 94 #1,754
2023 113 #1,553
2022 104 #1,657
2021 91 #1,767
2020 109 #1,529
2019 92 #1,716
2018 106 #1,577
2017 111 #1,502
2016 90 #1,730
2015 117 #1,447
2014 100 #1,580
2013 106 #1,523
2012 85 #1,763
2011 74 #1,890
2010 93 #1,670
2009 97 #1,630
2008 93 #1,660
2007 115 #1,418
2006 92 #1,587
2005 87 #1,590
2004 101 #1,409
2003 86 #1,504
2002 67 #1,729
2001 81 #1,505
2000 71 #1,645
1995 70 #1,419
1990 68 #1,355
1985 78 #1,045
1980 84 #984
1975 103 #820
1970 100 #811
1965 106 #722
1960 123 #704
1955 111 #697
1950 110 #665
1945 90 #636
1940 115 #552
1935 104 #570
1930 146 #491
1925 170 #465
1920 221 #397
1915 161 #425
1910 58 #324
1905 54 #269
1900 57 #271
1895 62 #221
1890 68 #196
1885 92 #147
1880 88 #155

Famous people named Hiram

  1. Hiram I Politician · -1000–-935
  2. Hiram Bingham III Politician · 1875–1956
  3. Hiram Maxim Inventor · 1840–1916
  4. Hiram Fong Politician · 1906–2004
  5. Hiram Johnson Politician · 1866–1945

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

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Hiram mean?

From Biblical Hebrew חִירָם (Ḥirám, “high-born”), possibly from Phoenician, or a shortened form of אֲחִירָם ('aḥirám, “brother of the exalted”).

How popular is the name Hiram in 2025?

Hiram ranked #1,639 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 103 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Hiram?

14,456 babies have been named Hiram in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Hiram most popular?

Hiram peaked in 1920, when 221 newborns received the name.

Is Hiram a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Hiram rising or falling?

Hiram has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Hiram?

Well-known people named Hiram include Hiram I (politician), Hiram Bingham III (politician), Hiram Maxim (inventor).

Names like Hiram

Compare Hiram with similar names →