Selwyn
From the Middle English form of Latin Silvanus.
Every Selwyn since 1904 — 1,418 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Selwyn
Selwyn is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #11,774 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1904, 1,418 American babies have been named Selwyn. Its peak came in 1961, when 43 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
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 Selwyn stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Selwyn 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 | — | — | 6 | #11,774 |
| 2024 | — | — | 9 | #8,864 |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | 8 | #9,522 |
| 2017 | — | — | 5 | #13,919 |
| 2016 | — | — | 6 | #11,901 |
| 2015 | — | — | 8 | #9,428 |
| 2014 | — | — | 5 | #13,732 |
| 2013 | — | — | 10 | #8,000 |
| 2012 | — | — | 6 | #12,031 |
| 2011 | — | — | 6 | #12,015 |
| 2010 | — | — | 7 | #10,564 |
| 2009 | — | — | 8 | #9,713 |
| 2008 | — | — | 8 | #9,713 |
| 2007 | — | — | 10 | #8,067 |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | 6 | #11,226 |
| 2004 | — | — | 7 | #9,768 |
| 2003 | — | — | 9 | #7,726 |
| 2002 | — | — | 5 | #12,190 |
| 2001 | — | — | 5 | #12,007 |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | 12 | #5,070 |
| 1990 | — | — | 14 | #4,139 |
| 1985 | — | — | 10 | #4,291 |
| 1980 | — | — | 10 | #4,081 |
| 1975 | — | — | 10 | #3,623 |
| 1970 | — | — | 24 | #1,842 |
| 1965 | — | — | 29 | #1,451 |
| 1960 | — | — | 23 | #1,725 |
| 1955 | — | — | 14 | #2,208 |
| 1950 | — | — | 9 | #2,746 |
| 1945 | — | — | 6 | #3,281 |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | 9 | #2,688 |
| 1930 | — | — | 22 | #1,596 |
| 1925 | — | — | 21 | #1,738 |
| 1920 | — | — | 11 | #2,736 |
| 1915 | — | — | 13 | #2,160 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Selwyn
- Selwyn Lloyd Politician · 1904–1978
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Selwyn mean?
From the Middle English form of Latin Silvanus.
How popular is the name Selwyn in 2025?
Selwyn ranked #11,774 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Selwyn?
1,418 babies have been named Selwyn in the United States since 1904, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Selwyn most popular?
Selwyn peaked in 1961, when 43 newborns received the name.
Is Selwyn a boy or girl name?
Selwyn is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Selwyn rising or falling?
Selwyn is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Selwyn?
Well-known people named Selwyn include Selwyn Lloyd (politician).