Baldwin
From Proto-West Germanic *Balþawini, from Proto-Germanic *Balþawiniz (“bold friend”).
Every Baldwin since 1880 — 634 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Baldwin
Baldwin is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 634 American babies have been named Baldwin. Its peak came in 1965, when 13 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 Baldwin stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Baldwin year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | 6 | #10,989 |
| 2022 | 8 | #9,078 |
| 2021 | 10 | #7,661 |
| 2020 | 6 | #10,757 |
| 2019 | 11 | #7,232 |
| 2018 | 9 | #8,237 |
| 2017 | 10 | #7,626 |
| 2016 | 6 | #10,895 |
| 2015 | 6 | #10,822 |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | 8 | #8,842 |
| 2010 | 8 | #8,892 |
| 2009 | 11 | #7,272 |
| 2008 | 6 | #11,209 |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | 10 | #7,168 |
| 2004 | 8 | #8,210 |
| 2003 | 7 | #8,746 |
| 2002 | 8 | #7,717 |
| 2001 | 7 | #8,424 |
| 2000 | 9 | #6,899 |
| 1995 | 8 | #6,461 |
| 1990 | 12 | #4,435 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | 10 | #3,866 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | 13 | #2,278 |
| 1960 | 8 | #3,105 |
| 1955 | 7 | #3,219 |
| 1950 | 5 | #3,724 |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | 8 | #3,174 |
| 1920 | 10 | #2,784 |
| 1915 | 9 | #2,644 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | 5 | #922 |
Famous people named Baldwin
- Baldwin IV of Jerusalem Politician · 1161–1185
- Baldwin I of Jerusalem Politician · 1058–1118
- Baldwin I, Latin Emperor Politician · 1172–1205
- Baldwin V of Jerusalem Politician · 1177–1186
- Baldwin II of Jerusalem Politician · 1060–1131
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Baldwin mean?
From Proto-West Germanic *Balþawini, from Proto-Germanic *Balþawiniz (“bold friend”).
How popular is the name Baldwin in 2025?
Baldwin did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Baldwin?
634 babies have been named Baldwin in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Baldwin most popular?
Baldwin peaked in 1965, when 13 newborns received the name.
Is Baldwin a boy or girl name?
Baldwin is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Baldwin rising or falling?
Baldwin has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Baldwin?
Well-known people named Baldwin include Baldwin IV of Jerusalem (politician), Baldwin I of Jerusalem (politician), Baldwin I, Latin Emperor (politician).