Watson
Every Watson since 1880 — 6,721 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Watson
Watson is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,011 in 2025 with 224 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 6,721 American babies have been named Watson. Its peak came in 2021, when 466 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Watson stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Watson 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 | 5 | #17,124 | 224 | #1,011 |
| 2024 | — | — | 279 | #868 |
| 2023 | — | — | 306 | #805 |
| 2022 | — | — | 356 | #729 |
| 2021 | — | — | 466 | #597 |
| 2020 | 6 | #14,979 | 454 | #603 |
| 2019 | 5 | #17,842 | 362 | #697 |
| 2018 | 6 | #15,577 | 340 | #715 |
| 2017 | — | — | 198 | #1,022 |
| 2016 | — | — | 121 | #1,442 |
| 2015 | — | — | 122 | #1,414 |
| 2014 | — | — | 93 | #1,668 |
| 2013 | — | — | 62 | #2,162 |
| 2012 | — | — | 82 | #1,813 |
| 2011 | — | — | 43 | #2,794 |
| 2010 | — | — | 36 | #3,178 |
| 2009 | — | — | 18 | #5,312 |
| 2008 | — | — | 24 | #4,259 |
| 2007 | — | — | 23 | #4,363 |
| 2006 | — | — | 26 | #3,882 |
| 2005 | — | — | 33 | #3,169 |
| 2004 | — | — | 25 | #3,730 |
| 2003 | — | — | 19 | #4,414 |
| 2002 | — | — | 20 | #4,182 |
| 2001 | — | — | 18 | #4,470 |
| 2000 | — | — | 13 | #5,568 |
| 1995 | — | — | 14 | #4,500 |
| 1990 | — | — | 17 | #3,597 |
| 1985 | — | — | 15 | #3,212 |
| 1980 | — | — | 6 | #6,217 |
| 1975 | — | — | 10 | #3,653 |
| 1970 | — | — | 14 | #2,618 |
| 1965 | — | — | 11 | #2,612 |
| 1960 | — | — | 20 | #1,855 |
| 1955 | — | — | 31 | #1,394 |
| 1950 | — | — | 24 | #1,535 |
| 1945 | — | — | 33 | #1,162 |
| 1940 | — | — | 38 | #1,064 |
| 1935 | — | — | 33 | #1,163 |
| 1930 | — | — | 37 | #1,171 |
| 1925 | — | — | 58 | #889 |
| 1920 | — | — | 57 | #922 |
| 1915 | — | — | 72 | #689 |
| 1910 | — | — | 25 | #581 |
| 1905 | — | — | 12 | #739 |
| 1900 | — | — | 13 | #734 |
| 1895 | — | — | 12 | #639 |
| 1890 | — | — | 12 | #600 |
| 1885 | — | — | 6 | #932 |
| 1880 | — | — | 12 | #566 |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Watson in 2025?
Watson ranked #1,011 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 224 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Watson?
6,721 babies have been named Watson in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Watson most popular?
Watson peaked in 2021, when 466 newborns received the name.
Is Watson a boy or girl name?
Watson is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Watson rising or falling?
Watson is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.