Ward
Every Ward since 1880 — 15,124 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ward
Ward is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,877 in 2025 with 44 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 15,124 American babies have been named Ward. Its peak came in 1961, when 341 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 Ward stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ward 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 | #7,863 | 44 | #2,877 |
| 2024 | 8 | #12,084 | 36 | #3,329 |
| 2023 | 6 | #15,074 | 43 | #2,945 |
| 2022 | 5 | #17,610 | 54 | #2,559 |
| 2021 | — | — | 44 | #2,859 |
| 2020 | — | — | 47 | #2,687 |
| 2019 | 13 | #8,578 | 33 | #3,489 |
| 2018 | 10 | #10,510 | 40 | #2,991 |
| 2017 | 9 | #11,570 | 44 | #2,795 |
| 2016 | 6 | #16,122 | 48 | #2,622 |
| 2015 | 12 | #9,455 | 27 | #3,978 |
| 2014 | — | — | 30 | #3,612 |
| 2013 | — | — | 30 | #3,575 |
| 2012 | — | — | 25 | #4,128 |
| 2011 | — | — | 17 | #5,416 |
| 2010 | — | — | 18 | #5,237 |
| 2009 | — | — | 11 | #7,663 |
| 2008 | — | — | 20 | #4,892 |
| 2007 | — | — | 12 | #7,058 |
| 2006 | — | — | 19 | #4,851 |
| 2005 | — | — | 23 | #4,055 |
| 2004 | — | — | 10 | #7,505 |
| 2003 | — | — | 17 | #4,810 |
| 2002 | — | — | 14 | #5,383 |
| 2001 | — | — | 17 | #4,663 |
| 2000 | — | — | 16 | #4,775 |
| 1995 | — | — | 17 | #3,842 |
| 1990 | — | — | 33 | #2,213 |
| 1985 | — | — | 34 | #1,792 |
| 1980 | — | — | 45 | #1,431 |
| 1975 | — | — | 49 | #1,226 |
| 1970 | — | — | 129 | #726 |
| 1965 | — | — | 172 | #583 |
| 1960 | — | — | 283 | #472 |
| 1955 | — | — | 197 | #521 |
| 1950 | — | — | 167 | #518 |
| 1945 | — | — | 155 | #483 |
| 1940 | — | — | 142 | #486 |
| 1935 | — | — | 157 | #455 |
| 1930 | — | — | 223 | #380 |
| 1925 | — | — | 256 | #372 |
| 1920 | — | — | 286 | #347 |
| 1915 | — | — | 237 | #348 |
| 1910 | — | — | 50 | #364 |
| 1905 | — | — | 31 | #382 |
| 1900 | — | — | 43 | #328 |
| 1895 | — | — | 48 | #260 |
| 1890 | — | — | 37 | #288 |
| 1885 | — | — | 23 | #378 |
| 1880 | — | — | 30 | #313 |
Famous people named Ward
- Ward Cunningham Computer scientist · b. 1949
- Ward Bond Actor · 1903–1960
- Ward Kimball Film director · 1914–2002
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Ward in 2025?
Ward ranked #2,877 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 44 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Ward?
15,124 babies have been named Ward in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ward most popular?
Ward peaked in 1961, when 341 newborns received the name.
Is Ward a boy or girl name?
Ward is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ward rising or falling?
Ward is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Ward?
Well-known people named Ward include Ward Cunningham (computer scientist), Ward Bond (actor), Ward Kimball (film director).