Lanier
Every Lanier since 1914 — 1,217 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Lanier
Lanier is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #13,122 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1914, 1,217 American babies have been named Lanier — about 87% boys and 13% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1972, when 24 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
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 Lanier stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Lanier 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 | #9,205 | 5 | #13,122 |
| 2024 | 6 | #14,471 | 10 | #8,081 |
| 2023 | 7 | #12,873 | 8 | #9,418 |
| 2022 | — | — | 9 | #8,703 |
| 2021 | 7 | #12,919 | 11 | #7,394 |
| 2020 | 5 | #16,474 | 5 | #13,260 |
| 2019 | — | — | 9 | #8,600 |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | 7 | #13,495 | 8 | #9,357 |
| 2016 | 9 | #11,381 | 5 | #13,392 |
| 2015 | 9 | #11,452 | 5 | #13,221 |
| 2014 | 5 | #18,031 | 7 | #10,275 |
| 2013 | 7 | #13,996 | 7 | #10,289 |
| 2012 | — | — | 8 | #9,365 |
| 2011 | 6 | #15,912 | 12 | #6,843 |
| 2010 | — | — | 9 | #8,515 |
| 2009 | — | — | 11 | #7,511 |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | 8 | #9,401 |
| 2006 | — | — | 10 | #7,773 |
| 2005 | 7 | #13,825 | 8 | #8,775 |
| 2004 | 8 | #12,260 | 5 | #12,443 |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | 5 | #11,611 |
| 2000 | — | — | 6 | #9,812 |
| 1995 | — | — | 7 | #7,460 |
| 1990 | — | — | 8 | #6,171 |
| 1985 | — | — | 9 | #4,542 |
| 1980 | — | — | 9 | #4,349 |
| 1975 | — | — | 6 | #5,159 |
| 1970 | — | — | 8 | #3,694 |
| 1965 | — | — | 14 | #2,223 |
| 1960 | — | — | 11 | #2,618 |
| 1955 | — | — | 13 | #2,266 |
| 1950 | — | — | 9 | #2,682 |
| 1945 | — | — | 12 | #2,074 |
| 1940 | — | — | 12 | #2,134 |
| 1935 | — | — | 11 | #2,332 |
| 1930 | — | — | 6 | #3,820 |
| 1925 | — | — | 13 | #2,374 |
| 1920 | — | — | 14 | #2,288 |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Lanier in 2025?
Lanier ranked #13,122 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Lanier?
1,217 babies have been named Lanier in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Lanier most popular?
Lanier peaked in 1972, when 24 newborns received the name.
Is Lanier a boy or girl name?
Lanier is used for both: about 13% of babies named Lanier have been girls and 87% boys.
Is the name Lanier rising or falling?
Lanier is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.