Major
Every Major since 1880 — 21,749 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Major
Major is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #670 in 2025 with 407 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 21,749 American babies have been named Major. Its peak came in 2017, when 1,050 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
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 Major stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Major 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 | — | — | 407 | #670 |
| 2024 | 5 | #16,784 | 491 | #582 |
| 2023 | 5 | #16,702 | 579 | #514 |
| 2022 | — | — | 705 | #441 |
| 2021 | 5 | #16,793 | 759 | #411 |
| 2020 | 8 | #11,738 | 913 | #349 |
| 2019 | 6 | #14,908 | 948 | #351 |
| 2018 | 11 | #9,569 | 944 | #350 |
| 2017 | 8 | #12,339 | 1,042 | #331 |
| 2016 | — | — | 990 | #348 |
| 2015 | — | — | 913 | #361 |
| 2014 | 7 | #14,023 | 934 | #350 |
| 2013 | 5 | #18,254 | 854 | #366 |
| 2012 | — | — | 556 | #486 |
| 2011 | — | — | 197 | #990 |
| 2010 | — | — | 238 | #881 |
| 2009 | — | — | 182 | #1,047 |
| 2008 | — | — | 90 | #1,701 |
| 2007 | — | — | 94 | #1,645 |
| 2006 | — | — | 83 | #1,707 |
| 2005 | — | — | 74 | #1,783 |
| 2004 | — | — | 75 | #1,710 |
| 2003 | — | — | 63 | #1,880 |
| 2002 | — | — | 78 | #1,581 |
| 2001 | — | — | 74 | #1,610 |
| 2000 | — | — | 55 | #1,911 |
| 1995 | — | — | 43 | #1,975 |
| 1990 | — | — | 62 | #1,428 |
| 1985 | — | — | 39 | #1,633 |
| 1980 | — | — | 65 | #1,129 |
| 1975 | — | — | 50 | #1,201 |
| 1970 | — | — | 72 | #948 |
| 1965 | — | — | 79 | #830 |
| 1960 | — | — | 71 | #902 |
| 1955 | — | — | 103 | #722 |
| 1950 | — | — | 134 | #587 |
| 1945 | — | — | 121 | #545 |
| 1940 | — | — | 127 | #515 |
| 1935 | — | — | 89 | #625 |
| 1930 | — | — | 143 | #500 |
| 1925 | — | — | 116 | #582 |
| 1920 | — | — | 169 | #469 |
| 1915 | — | — | 151 | #446 |
| 1910 | — | — | 46 | #388 |
| 1905 | — | — | 44 | #305 |
| 1900 | — | — | 51 | #291 |
| 1895 | — | — | 34 | #311 |
| 1890 | — | — | 27 | #340 |
| 1885 | — | — | 37 | #275 |
| 1880 | — | — | 28 | #324 |
Famous people named Major
- Major Ritchie Tennis player · 1870–1955
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Major in 2025?
Major ranked #670 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 407 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Major?
21,749 babies have been named Major in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Major most popular?
Major peaked in 2017, when 1,050 newborns received the name.
Is Major a boy or girl name?
Major is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Major rising or falling?
Major is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Major?
Well-known people named Major include Major Ritchie (tennis player).