Urban
Latin Urbānus, name of eight early popes, from urbānus (“of the town or city, urbane”).
Every Urban since 1880 — 3,264 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Urban
Urban is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,374 in 2025 with 18 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 3,264 American babies have been named Urban. Its peak came in 1924, when 104 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
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 Urban stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Urban year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18 | #5,374 |
| 2024 | 16 | #5,879 |
| 2023 | 10 | #8,214 |
| 2022 | 24 | #4,429 |
| 2021 | 30 | #3,732 |
| 2020 | 24 | #4,265 |
| 2019 | 39 | #3,098 |
| 2018 | 27 | #3,984 |
| 2017 | 30 | #3,667 |
| 2016 | 35 | #3,287 |
| 2015 | 36 | #3,222 |
| 2014 | 24 | #4,253 |
| 2013 | 22 | #4,452 |
| 2012 | 34 | #3,293 |
| 2011 | 34 | #3,302 |
| 2010 | 30 | #3,626 |
| 2009 | 24 | #4,269 |
| 2008 | 21 | #4,700 |
| 2007 | 20 | #4,792 |
| 2006 | 11 | #7,389 |
| 2005 | 9 | #8,260 |
| 2004 | 6 | #11,268 |
| 2003 | 5 | #12,661 |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | 6 | #10,478 |
| 2000 | 6 | #10,290 |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 6 | #8,067 |
| 1985 | 5 | #7,531 |
| 1980 | 9 | #4,476 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 12 | #2,884 |
| 1965 | 5 | #4,401 |
| 1960 | 22 | #1,766 |
| 1955 | 26 | #1,536 |
| 1950 | 13 | #2,201 |
| 1945 | 20 | #1,533 |
| 1940 | 23 | #1,429 |
| 1935 | 40 | #1,018 |
| 1930 | 52 | #943 |
| 1925 | 88 | #689 |
| 1920 | 88 | #686 |
| 1915 | 67 | #732 |
| 1910 | 13 | #925 |
| 1905 | 5 | #1,411 |
| 1900 | 10 | #900 |
| 1895 | 7 | #971 |
| 1890 | 7 | #875 |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | 10 | #633 |
Famous people named Urban
- Urban Gad Film director · 1879–1947
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Urban mean?
Latin Urbānus, name of eight early popes, from urbānus (“of the town or city, urbane”).
How popular is the name Urban in 2025?
Urban ranked #5,374 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 18 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Urban?
3,264 babies have been named Urban in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Urban most popular?
Urban peaked in 1924, when 104 newborns received the name.
Is Urban a boy or girl name?
Urban is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Urban rising or falling?
Urban is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Urban?
Well-known people named Urban include Urban Gad (film director).