Reed
Every Reed since 1881 — 36,977 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Reed
Reed is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #419 in 2025 with 770 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1881, 36,977 American babies have been named Reed. Its peak came in 2014, when 1,122 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
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 Reed stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Reed 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 | 14 | #7,814 | 770 | #419 |
| 2024 | 22 | #5,755 | 747 | #423 |
| 2023 | 24 | #5,353 | 725 | #431 |
| 2022 | 18 | #6,656 | 777 | #416 |
| 2021 | 27 | #4,931 | 740 | #415 |
| 2020 | 32 | #4,340 | 661 | #450 |
| 2019 | 28 | #4,875 | 777 | #402 |
| 2018 | 34 | #4,223 | 855 | #378 |
| 2017 | 20 | #6,241 | 862 | #379 |
| 2016 | 38 | #3,982 | 962 | #351 |
| 2015 | 37 | #4,055 | 1,045 | #331 |
| 2014 | 26 | #5,282 | 1,096 | #318 |
| 2013 | 25 | #5,450 | 1,032 | #323 |
| 2012 | 25 | #5,526 | 817 | #372 |
| 2011 | 34 | #4,337 | 809 | #367 |
| 2010 | 24 | #5,750 | 759 | #381 |
| 2009 | 22 | #6,261 | 687 | #420 |
| 2008 | 18 | #7,336 | 726 | #406 |
| 2007 | 15 | #8,435 | 617 | #450 |
| 2006 | 19 | #6,784 | 568 | #470 |
| 2005 | 16 | #7,421 | 530 | #473 |
| 2004 | 13 | #8,610 | 514 | #483 |
| 2003 | 15 | #7,498 | 478 | #509 |
| 2002 | 18 | #6,332 | 468 | #494 |
| 2001 | 22 | #5,332 | 501 | #473 |
| 2000 | 24 | #4,939 | 529 | #449 |
| 1995 | 28 | #3,859 | 550 | #414 |
| 1990 | — | — | 238 | #656 |
| 1985 | 5 | #11,994 | 230 | #579 |
| 1980 | 5 | #11,677 | 198 | #621 |
| 1975 | — | — | 129 | #732 |
| 1970 | — | — | 172 | #620 |
| 1965 | — | — | 157 | #612 |
| 1960 | — | — | 215 | #542 |
| 1955 | — | — | 270 | #451 |
| 1950 | — | — | 204 | #468 |
| 1945 | — | — | 112 | #575 |
| 1940 | — | — | 91 | #624 |
| 1935 | 5 | #4,773 | 80 | #667 |
| 1930 | — | — | 105 | #589 |
| 1925 | — | — | 114 | #591 |
| 1920 | — | — | 123 | #557 |
| 1915 | — | — | 101 | #567 |
| 1910 | — | — | 30 | #519 |
| 1905 | — | — | 20 | #519 |
| 1900 | — | — | 14 | #694 |
| 1895 | — | — | 19 | #471 |
| 1890 | — | — | 13 | #558 |
| 1885 | — | — | 6 | #919 |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Reed
- Reed Hastings Businessperson · b. 1960
- Reed Diamond Actor · b. 1967
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Reed in 2025?
Reed ranked #419 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 770 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Reed?
36,977 babies have been named Reed in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Reed most popular?
Reed peaked in 2014, when 1,122 newborns received the name.
Is Reed a boy or girl name?
Reed is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Reed rising or falling?
Reed is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Reed?
Well-known people named Reed include Reed Hastings (businessperson), Reed Diamond (actor).