Read
English and Scottish surname, variant of Reed.
Every Read since 1914 — 308 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Read
Read 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 1914, 308 American babies have been named Read. Its peak came in 1949, when 14 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
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 Read stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Read 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 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | 5 | #13,607 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | 5 | #13,773 |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | 6 | #12,042 |
| 2006 | 6 | #11,732 |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | 6 | #10,571 |
| 2002 | 5 | #12,098 |
| 2001 | 8 | #8,147 |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 5 | #9,195 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | 7 | #4,675 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 7 | #3,438 |
| 1950 | 6 | #3,606 |
| 1945 | 6 | #3,248 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | 5 | #4,043 |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | 7 | #3,330 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Read mean?
English and Scottish surname, variant of Reed.
How popular is the name Read in 2025?
Read 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 Read?
308 babies have been named Read in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Read most popular?
Read peaked in 1949, when 14 newborns received the name.
Is Read a boy or girl name?
Read is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Read rising or falling?
Read is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.