Ransom
Every Ransom since 1880 — 4,869 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ransom
Ransom is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #1,695 in 2025 with 97 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 4,869 American babies have been named Ransom. Its peak came in 2022, when 111 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 Ransom stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ransom 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 | — | — | 97 | #1,695 |
| 2024 | — | — | 102 | #1,659 |
| 2023 | — | — | 105 | #1,647 |
| 2022 | — | — | 111 | #1,594 |
| 2021 | — | — | 102 | #1,643 |
| 2020 | — | — | 102 | #1,598 |
| 2019 | 5 | #17,439 | 74 | #1,993 |
| 2018 | — | — | 78 | #1,915 |
| 2017 | — | — | 100 | #1,610 |
| 2016 | — | — | 110 | #1,530 |
| 2015 | — | — | 103 | #1,576 |
| 2014 | — | — | 93 | #1,664 |
| 2013 | 5 | #18,689 | 96 | #1,609 |
| 2012 | — | — | 78 | #1,876 |
| 2011 | — | — | 70 | #1,983 |
| 2010 | — | — | 83 | #1,791 |
| 2009 | — | — | 67 | #2,067 |
| 2008 | — | — | 55 | #2,370 |
| 2007 | — | — | 60 | #2,231 |
| 2006 | — | — | 56 | #2,276 |
| 2005 | — | — | 51 | #2,321 |
| 2004 | — | — | 35 | #2,942 |
| 2003 | — | — | 29 | #3,254 |
| 2002 | — | — | 31 | #3,000 |
| 2001 | — | — | 28 | #3,209 |
| 2000 | — | — | 43 | #2,286 |
| 1995 | — | — | 39 | #2,130 |
| 1990 | — | — | 23 | #2,851 |
| 1985 | — | — | 30 | #1,957 |
| 1980 | — | — | 14 | #3,211 |
| 1975 | — | — | 12 | #3,198 |
| 1970 | — | — | 10 | #3,234 |
| 1965 | — | — | 17 | #1,977 |
| 1960 | — | — | 20 | #1,848 |
| 1955 | — | — | 28 | #1,478 |
| 1950 | — | — | 29 | #1,358 |
| 1945 | — | — | 24 | #1,372 |
| 1940 | — | — | 30 | #1,247 |
| 1935 | — | — | 25 | #1,388 |
| 1930 | — | — | 48 | #988 |
| 1925 | — | — | 36 | #1,197 |
| 1920 | — | — | 43 | #1,085 |
| 1915 | — | — | 61 | #771 |
| 1910 | — | — | 15 | #813 |
| 1905 | — | — | 8 | #988 |
| 1900 | — | — | 12 | #775 |
| 1895 | — | — | 13 | #601 |
| 1890 | — | — | 16 | #480 |
| 1885 | — | — | 12 | #572 |
| 1880 | — | — | 5 | #1,032 |
Famous people named Ransom
- Ransom E. Olds Engineer · 1864–1950
- Ransom Riggs Writer · b. 1979
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Ransom in 2025?
Ransom ranked #1,695 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 97 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Ransom?
4,869 babies have been named Ransom in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ransom most popular?
Ransom peaked in 2022, when 111 newborns received the name.
Is Ransom a boy or girl name?
Ransom is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ransom rising or falling?
Ransom is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Ransom?
Well-known people named Ransom include Ransom E. Olds (engineer), Ransom Riggs (writer).