Holmes
From holme, variant of holm (“islet”).
Every Holmes since 1880 — 610 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Holmes
Holmes 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 1880, 610 American babies have been named Holmes. Its peak came in 1915, when 24 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 Holmes stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Holmes year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | 6 | #11,445 |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | 5 | #13,057 |
| 2021 | 5 | #12,831 |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | 6 | #11,284 |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | 8 | #9,103 |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | 5 | #6,640 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 5 | #5,024 |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 8 | #3,073 |
| 1950 | 9 | #2,660 |
| 1945 | 9 | #2,477 |
| 1940 | 10 | #2,392 |
| 1935 | 8 | #2,811 |
| 1930 | 9 | #2,875 |
| 1925 | 23 | #1,608 |
| 1920 | 20 | #1,789 |
| 1915 | 24 | #1,387 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | 6 | #867 |
Famous people named Holmes
- Holmes Herbert Actor · 1882–1956
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Holmes mean?
From holme, variant of holm (“islet”).
How popular is the name Holmes in 2025?
Holmes 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 Holmes?
610 babies have been named Holmes in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Holmes most popular?
Holmes peaked in 1915, when 24 newborns received the name.
Is Holmes a boy or girl name?
Holmes is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Holmes rising or falling?
Holmes is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Holmes?
Well-known people named Holmes include Holmes Herbert (actor).