Norris
An Anglo-Norman surname, from Old French norreis (“a northerner, a migrant from the north”).
Every Norris since 1880 — 16,979 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Norris
Norris is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #6,063 in 2025 with 15 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 16,979 American babies have been named Norris. Its peak came in 1924, when 323 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 Norris stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Norris 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 | — | — | 15 | #6,063 |
| 2024 | — | — | 14 | #6,388 |
| 2023 | — | — | 17 | #5,601 |
| 2022 | — | — | 28 | #3,963 |
| 2021 | — | — | 18 | #5,281 |
| 2020 | — | — | 19 | #4,985 |
| 2019 | — | — | 27 | #3,967 |
| 2018 | — | — | 24 | #4,314 |
| 2017 | — | — | 34 | #3,359 |
| 2016 | — | — | 17 | #5,484 |
| 2015 | — | — | 21 | #4,660 |
| 2014 | — | — | 35 | #3,198 |
| 2013 | — | — | 17 | #5,333 |
| 2012 | — | — | 25 | #4,096 |
| 2011 | — | — | 22 | #4,465 |
| 2010 | — | — | 25 | #4,075 |
| 2009 | — | — | 17 | #5,480 |
| 2008 | — | — | 25 | #4,110 |
| 2007 | — | — | 32 | #3,428 |
| 2006 | — | — | 20 | #4,636 |
| 2005 | — | — | 24 | #3,905 |
| 2004 | — | — | 36 | #2,868 |
| 2003 | — | — | 30 | #3,172 |
| 2002 | — | — | 27 | #3,317 |
| 2001 | — | — | 40 | #2,466 |
| 2000 | — | — | 33 | #2,788 |
| 1995 | — | — | 42 | #2,012 |
| 1990 | — | — | 69 | #1,348 |
| 1985 | 5 | #11,921 | 71 | #1,106 |
| 1980 | — | — | 81 | #1,008 |
| 1975 | — | — | 91 | #872 |
| 1970 | 5 | #8,913 | 111 | #781 |
| 1965 | 8 | #5,165 | 154 | #618 |
| 1960 | 7 | #5,557 | 246 | #507 |
| 1955 | 7 | #5,068 | 288 | #432 |
| 1950 | 8 | #4,222 | 244 | #428 |
| 1945 | 13 | #2,563 | 215 | #411 |
| 1940 | 11 | #2,689 | 205 | #401 |
| 1935 | 10 | #2,882 | 266 | #335 |
| 1930 | 13 | #2,524 | 228 | #377 |
| 1925 | 10 | #3,297 | 281 | #351 |
| 1920 | 6 | #4,823 | 228 | #394 |
| 1915 | 9 | #3,068 | 184 | #397 |
| 1910 | 7 | #2,080 | 48 | #373 |
| 1905 | — | — | 12 | #730 |
| 1900 | — | — | 18 | #597 |
| 1895 | — | — | 14 | #572 |
| 1890 | — | — | 16 | #477 |
| 1885 | — | — | 12 | #570 |
| 1880 | — | — | 12 | #554 |
Famous people named Norris
- Norris Bradbury Physicist · 1909–1997
- Norris Cole Basketball player · b. 1988
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Norris mean?
An Anglo-Norman surname, from Old French norreis (“a northerner, a migrant from the north”).
How popular is the name Norris in 2025?
Norris ranked #6,063 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 15 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Norris?
16,979 babies have been named Norris in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Norris most popular?
Norris peaked in 1924, when 323 newborns received the name.
Is Norris a boy or girl name?
Norris is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 97% of babies with the name.
Is the name Norris rising or falling?
Norris is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Norris?
Well-known people named Norris include Norris Bradbury (physicist), Norris Cole (basketball player).