Isaac
From Middle English Ysaac, from Latin Isaac, from Ancient Greek Ἰσαάκ (Isaák), from Hebrew יצחק (Yiṣḥāq, literally “he laughs, he will laugh”).
Every Isaac since 1880 — 332,292 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Isaac
Isaac is a top-50 name for boys in the United States, ranked #47 in 2025 with 5,953 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 332,292 American babies have been named Isaac. Its peak came in 2007, when 10,287 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 Isaac stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Isaac 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 | 10 | #9,719 | 5,953 | #47 |
| 2024 | 6 | #14,153 | 6,529 | #41 |
| 2023 | 7 | #12,663 | 6,621 | #42 |
| 2022 | — | — | 6,752 | #41 |
| 2021 | — | — | 6,987 | #40 |
| 2020 | 8 | #11,492 | 7,155 | #39 |
| 2019 | 11 | #9,352 | 8,231 | #34 |
| 2018 | 9 | #10,901 | 8,503 | #34 |
| 2017 | 12 | #8,994 | 8,894 | #32 |
| 2016 | 15 | #7,751 | 9,782 | #31 |
| 2015 | 12 | #9,169 | 9,988 | #31 |
| 2014 | 13 | #8,661 | 9,999 | #31 |
| 2013 | 7 | #13,720 | 10,134 | #28 |
| 2012 | 11 | #9,975 | 10,065 | #30 |
| 2011 | 8 | #12,607 | 9,607 | #35 |
| 2010 | 5 | #18,038 | 9,371 | #39 |
| 2009 | 12 | #9,609 | 9,569 | #40 |
| 2008 | 15 | #8,279 | 10,030 | #37 |
| 2007 | 13 | #9,199 | 10,274 | #41 |
| 2006 | 14 | #8,427 | 9,685 | #48 |
| 2005 | 21 | #5,891 | 9,127 | #49 |
| 2004 | 41 | #3,588 | 9,181 | #46 |
| 2003 | 16 | #7,003 | 8,944 | #48 |
| 2002 | 11 | #9,076 | 8,312 | #48 |
| 2001 | 15 | #7,094 | 8,200 | #47 |
| 2000 | 16 | #6,605 | 7,439 | #53 |
| 1995 | 11 | #7,714 | 3,881 | #98 |
| 1990 | 10 | #8,102 | 2,429 | #132 |
| 1985 | 10 | #6,626 | 1,673 | #165 |
| 1980 | 19 | #4,044 | 1,798 | #150 |
| 1975 | 11 | #5,274 | 1,014 | #213 |
| 1970 | 6 | #7,399 | 569 | #333 |
| 1965 | — | — | 428 | #375 |
| 1960 | — | — | 467 | #365 |
| 1955 | — | — | 545 | #315 |
| 1950 | — | — | 557 | #282 |
| 1945 | 5 | #4,850 | 460 | #281 |
| 1940 | — | — | 486 | #246 |
| 1935 | 5 | #4,502 | 476 | #241 |
| 1930 | — | — | 548 | #231 |
| 1925 | 6 | #4,667 | 678 | #206 |
| 1920 | — | — | 706 | #191 |
| 1915 | — | — | 568 | #196 |
| 1910 | — | — | 252 | #130 |
| 1905 | — | — | 147 | #145 |
| 1900 | — | — | 198 | #116 |
| 1895 | — | — | 172 | #107 |
| 1890 | — | — | 187 | #92 |
| 1885 | — | — | 204 | #79 |
| 1880 | — | — | 274 | #62 |
Famous people named Isaac
- Isaac Newton Physicist · 1643–1726
- Isaac Religious figure · b. -1900
- Isaac Asimov Writer · 1920–1992
- Isaac Bashevis Singer Writer · 1902–1991
- Isaac Albéniz Musician · 1860–1909
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Isaac mean?
From Middle English Ysaac, from Latin Isaac, from Ancient Greek Ἰσαάκ (Isaák), from Hebrew יצחק (Yiṣḥāq, literally “he laughs, he will laugh”).
How popular is the name Isaac in 2025?
Isaac ranked #47 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5,953 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Isaac?
332,292 babies have been named Isaac in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Isaac most popular?
Isaac peaked in 2007, when 10,287 newborns received the name.
Is Isaac a boy or girl name?
Isaac is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Isaac rising or falling?
Isaac is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Isaac?
Well-known people named Isaac include Isaac Newton (physicist), Isaac (religious figure), Isaac Asimov (writer).