Octave
Every Octave since 1880 — 450 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Octave
Octave is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 450 American babies have been named Octave. Its peak came in 1918, when 18 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
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 Octave stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Octave year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | 6 | #11,952 |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | 5 | #4,439 |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | 6 | #3,366 |
| 1935 | 7 | #3,168 |
| 1930 | 6 | #3,887 |
| 1925 | 11 | #2,701 |
| 1920 | 12 | #2,560 |
| 1915 | 16 | #1,862 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | 7 | #1,135 |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | 10 | #628 |
| 1880 | 9 | #671 |
Famous people named Octave
- Octave Mirbeau Writer · 1848–1917
- Octave Lapize Cyclist · 1887–1917
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Octave in 2025?
Octave did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Octave?
450 babies have been named Octave in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Octave most popular?
Octave peaked in 1918, when 18 newborns received the name.
Is Octave a boy or girl name?
Octave is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Octave rising or falling?
Octave is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Octave?
Well-known people named Octave include Octave Mirbeau (writer), Octave Lapize (cyclist).