Anakin
Coined by American filmmaker George Lucas as early as 1974 in early drafts of Star Wars, which included a character named Annikin Starkiller.
Every Anakin since 1995 — 5,892 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Anakin
Anakin is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #648 in 2025 with 427 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1995, 5,892 American babies have been named Anakin. Its peak came in 2023, when 547 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 Anakin stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Anakin 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 | #13,327 | 427 | #648 |
| 2024 | — | — | 485 | #590 |
| 2023 | 6 | #13,589 | 541 | #544 |
| 2022 | 9 | #10,450 | 464 | #606 |
| 2021 | — | — | 431 | #640 |
| 2020 | 6 | #13,579 | 361 | #702 |
| 2019 | — | — | 222 | #962 |
| 2018 | 10 | #9,869 | 270 | #827 |
| 2017 | 6 | #14,283 | 323 | #736 |
| 2016 | 7 | #13,004 | 308 | #776 |
| 2015 | — | — | 237 | #909 |
| 2014 | — | — | 220 | #959 |
| 2013 | — | — | 143 | #1,238 |
| 2012 | — | — | 128 | #1,328 |
| 2011 | — | — | 91 | #1,657 |
| 2010 | — | — | 100 | #1,574 |
| 2009 | — | — | 119 | #1,413 |
| 2008 | — | — | 101 | #1,571 |
| 2007 | — | — | 102 | #1,539 |
| 2006 | — | — | 120 | #1,350 |
| 2005 | — | — | 133 | #1,197 |
| 2004 | — | — | 66 | #1,858 |
| 2003 | — | — | 54 | #2,078 |
| 2002 | — | — | 69 | #1,694 |
| 2001 | — | — | 66 | #1,733 |
| 2000 | — | — | 96 | #1,334 |
| 1995 | — | — | 5 | #8,935 |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Anakin mean?
Coined by American filmmaker George Lucas as early as 1974 in early drafts of Star Wars, which included a character named Annikin Starkiller.
How popular is the name Anakin in 2025?
Anakin ranked #648 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 427 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Anakin?
5,892 babies have been named Anakin in the United States since 1995, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Anakin most popular?
Anakin peaked in 2023, when 547 newborns received the name.
Is Anakin a boy or girl name?
Anakin is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Anakin rising or falling?
Anakin is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.