Houston
Originally from a place near Glasgow, from the Middle English equivalent of "Hugh's town".
Every Houston since 1880 — 18,540 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Houston
Houston is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #675 in 2025 with 402 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 18,540 American babies have been named Houston. Its peak came in 2021, when 469 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Houston stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Houston 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 | 11 | #9,092 | 402 | #675 |
| 2024 | 14 | #7,740 | 381 | #706 |
| 2023 | 15 | #7,399 | 387 | #689 |
| 2022 | 20 | #6,065 | 380 | #696 |
| 2021 | 29 | #4,665 | 440 | #625 |
| 2020 | 19 | #6,166 | 336 | #731 |
| 2019 | 17 | #6,834 | 374 | #686 |
| 2018 | 15 | #7,526 | 314 | #753 |
| 2017 | 11 | #9,561 | 284 | #805 |
| 2016 | 10 | #10,381 | 287 | #804 |
| 2015 | 14 | #8,162 | 264 | #852 |
| 2014 | 16 | #7,437 | 227 | #933 |
| 2013 | 8 | #12,425 | 206 | #972 |
| 2012 | 6 | #15,693 | 217 | #939 |
| 2011 | — | — | 210 | #945 |
| 2010 | 5 | #18,014 | 238 | #880 |
| 2009 | 7 | #14,238 | 219 | #939 |
| 2008 | 7 | #14,396 | 243 | #872 |
| 2007 | 6 | #16,218 | 256 | #835 |
| 2006 | 6 | #15,841 | 243 | #836 |
| 2005 | 10 | #10,404 | 218 | #845 |
| 2004 | 8 | #12,030 | 215 | #828 |
| 2003 | 6 | #14,528 | 209 | #835 |
| 2002 | 11 | #9,067 | 186 | #882 |
| 2001 | 10 | #9,642 | 195 | #835 |
| 2000 | 9 | #10,198 | 214 | #777 |
| 1995 | 14 | #6,384 | 264 | #640 |
| 1990 | 12 | #7,032 | 196 | #729 |
| 1985 | — | — | 94 | #941 |
| 1980 | — | — | 64 | #1,140 |
| 1975 | — | — | 47 | #1,245 |
| 1970 | — | — | 61 | #1,046 |
| 1965 | — | — | 73 | #862 |
| 1960 | — | — | 50 | #1,105 |
| 1955 | — | — | 82 | #809 |
| 1950 | — | — | 89 | #728 |
| 1945 | — | — | 97 | #614 |
| 1940 | — | — | 126 | #519 |
| 1935 | — | — | 95 | #594 |
| 1930 | — | — | 126 | #533 |
| 1925 | — | — | 154 | #491 |
| 1920 | — | — | 174 | #461 |
| 1915 | — | — | 145 | #457 |
| 1910 | — | — | 41 | #427 |
| 1905 | — | — | 28 | #405 |
| 1900 | — | — | 33 | #389 |
| 1895 | — | — | 22 | #422 |
| 1890 | — | — | 13 | #548 |
| 1885 | — | — | 13 | #533 |
| 1880 | — | — | 16 | #451 |
Famous people named Houston
- Houston Stewart Chamberlain Philosopher · 1855–1927
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Houston mean?
Originally from a place near Glasgow, from the Middle English equivalent of "Hugh's town".
How popular is the name Houston in 2025?
Houston ranked #675 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 402 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Houston?
18,540 babies have been named Houston in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Houston most popular?
Houston peaked in 2021, when 469 newborns received the name.
Is Houston a boy or girl name?
Houston is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Houston rising or falling?
Houston is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Houston?
Well-known people named Houston include Houston Stewart Chamberlain (philosopher).