Novak
Usually from Czech Novák or Slovak Novák, but possibly also from Serbo-Croatian Nȍvāk, Slovene Novák, or Hungarian Novák.
Every Novak since 2008 — 384 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Novak
Novak is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,730 in 2025 with 30 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 2008, 384 American babies have been named Novak. Its peak came in 2023, when 32 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Novak stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Novak year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 30 | #3,730 |
| 2024 | 32 | #3,580 |
| 2023 | 32 | #3,606 |
| 2022 | 17 | #5,575 |
| 2021 | 28 | #3,893 |
| 2020 | 20 | #4,815 |
| 2019 | 24 | #4,304 |
| 2018 | 17 | #5,480 |
| 2017 | 14 | #6,247 |
| 2016 | 28 | #3,861 |
| 2015 | 18 | #5,218 |
| 2014 | 27 | #3,864 |
| 2013 | 22 | #4,423 |
| 2012 | 29 | #3,686 |
| 2011 | 19 | #4,936 |
| 2010 | 9 | #8,599 |
| 2009 | 12 | #7,116 |
| 2008 | 6 | #12,146 |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
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| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
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| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
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| 1955 | — | — |
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| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
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| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Novak
- Novak Djokovic Tennis player · b. 1987
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Novak mean?
Usually from Czech Novák or Slovak Novák, but possibly also from Serbo-Croatian Nȍvāk, Slovene Novák, or Hungarian Novák.
How popular is the name Novak in 2025?
Novak ranked #3,730 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 30 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Novak?
384 babies have been named Novak in the United States since 2008, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Novak most popular?
Novak peaked in 2023, when 32 newborns received the name.
Is Novak a boy or girl name?
Novak is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Novak rising or falling?
Novak is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Novak?
Well-known people named Novak include Novak Djokovic (tennis player).