Able: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	30	3	–	#2,398
1920s	37	4	+23%	#2,459
1930s	19	2	-49%	#3,022
1940s	20	2	+5%	#2,803
1950s	49	5	+145%	#2,662
1960s	42	4	-14%	#2,871
1970s	73	7	+74%	#2,903
1980s	95	10	+30%	#3,030
1990s	99	10	+4%	#3,880
2000s	160	16	+62%	#3,894
2010s	346	35	+116%	#2,661
2020s (to 2025)	145	24	-30%	#3,465

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#2,398

1920s

+23%

#2,459

1930s

-49%

#3,022

1940s

+5%

#2,803

1950s

+145%

#2,662

1960s

-14%

#2,871

1970s

+74%

#2,903

1980s

+30%

#3,030

1990s

+4%

#3,880

2000s

160

+62%

#3,894

2010s

346

+116%

#2,661

2020s (to 2025)

145

-30%

#3,465

The story of Able

Able is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,046 in 2025 with 19 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1912, 1,115 American babies have been named Able. Its peak came in 2014, when 45 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 Able stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Able?

The median living Able is about 16 years old; half are between 9 and 35. An estimated 1,000 people named Able are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Able year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	19	#5,046
2024	18	#5,242
2023	14	#6,223
2022	33	#3,465
2021	31	#3,583
2020	30	#3,571
2019	22	#4,483
2018	35	#3,241
2017	34	#3,313
2016	40	#2,936
2015	41	#2,864
2014	45	#2,661
2013	41	#2,804
2012	33	#3,299
2011	33	#3,310
2010	22	#4,367
2009	24	#4,160
2008	19	#4,901
2007	26	#3,894
2006	14	#5,787
2005	15	#5,285
2004	14	#5,495
2003	12	#5,879
2002	9	#7,057
2001	11	#6,014
2000	16	#4,575
1995	10	#5,504
1990	8	#5,827
1985	–	–
1980	13	#3,256
1975	13	#2,903
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	9	#2,871
1955	6	#3,506
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	8	#3,022
1925	–	–
1920	12	#2,459
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Able, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Able?

The median living Able is about 16 years old. Half of all living Ables are between 9 and 35 years old.

How many people named Able are alive today?

An estimated 1,000 people named Able are alive in the United States, based on 1,115 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Able in 2025?

Able ranked #5,046 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 19 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Able?

1,115 babies have been named Able in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Able most popular?

Able peaked in 2014, when 45 newborns received the name.

Is Able a boy or girl name?

Able is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Able rising or falling?

Able is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Able

Able popularity over time

The story of Able

How old are people named Able?

Able year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Able