Lafayette
French surname from Occitan, "the little beech tree".
Every Lafayette since 1880 — 4,882 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Lafayette
Lafayette is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #10,262 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 4,882 American babies have been named Lafayette. Its peak came in 1921, when 86 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 Lafayette stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Lafayette 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 | — | — | 7 | #10,262 |
| 2024 | — | — | 8 | #9,500 |
| 2023 | — | — | 10 | #8,032 |
| 2022 | — | — | 14 | #6,347 |
| 2021 | — | — | 15 | #5,919 |
| 2020 | — | — | 11 | #7,298 |
| 2019 | — | — | 10 | #7,968 |
| 2018 | — | — | 15 | #5,935 |
| 2017 | — | — | 8 | #9,356 |
| 2016 | — | — | 14 | #6,211 |
| 2015 | — | — | 10 | #7,815 |
| 2014 | — | — | 14 | #6,181 |
| 2013 | — | — | 18 | #5,089 |
| 2012 | — | — | 20 | #4,801 |
| 2011 | — | — | 15 | #5,841 |
| 2010 | — | — | 13 | #6,576 |
| 2009 | — | — | 12 | #7,065 |
| 2008 | — | — | 11 | #7,501 |
| 2007 | — | — | 16 | #5,578 |
| 2006 | — | — | 14 | #5,971 |
| 2005 | — | — | 14 | #5,760 |
| 2004 | — | — | 14 | #5,664 |
| 2003 | — | — | 18 | #4,541 |
| 2002 | — | — | 9 | #7,395 |
| 2001 | — | — | 17 | #4,602 |
| 2000 | — | — | 15 | #4,936 |
| 1995 | — | — | 31 | #2,476 |
| 1990 | — | — | 33 | #2,194 |
| 1985 | — | — | 47 | #1,443 |
| 1980 | — | — | 36 | #1,644 |
| 1975 | — | — | 26 | #1,861 |
| 1970 | — | — | 40 | #1,323 |
| 1965 | — | — | 50 | #1,048 |
| 1960 | — | — | 43 | #1,200 |
| 1955 | — | — | 61 | #961 |
| 1950 | — | — | 54 | #942 |
| 1945 | — | — | 54 | #856 |
| 1940 | — | — | 44 | #976 |
| 1935 | — | — | 49 | #909 |
| 1930 | — | — | 43 | #1,062 |
| 1925 | — | — | 60 | #864 |
| 1920 | — | — | 67 | #821 |
| 1915 | — | — | 51 | #865 |
| 1910 | — | — | 15 | #804 |
| 1905 | — | — | 8 | #968 |
| 1900 | — | — | 17 | #610 |
| 1895 | — | — | 23 | #407 |
| 1890 | — | — | 12 | #583 |
| 1885 | — | — | 23 | #372 |
| 1880 | — | — | 22 | #368 |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lafayette mean?
French surname from Occitan, "the little beech tree".
How popular is the name Lafayette in 2025?
Lafayette ranked #10,262 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Lafayette?
4,882 babies have been named Lafayette in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Lafayette most popular?
Lafayette peaked in 1921, when 86 newborns received the name.
Is Lafayette a boy or girl name?
Lafayette is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Lafayette rising or falling?
Lafayette is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.