Ballard: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#10,854

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Ballard

How common

1 in 284,679

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1922

40 babies

All-time total

1,159

#4,685 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Ballard popularity over time

1,159 babies have been named Ballard since 1880, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

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	60	6	–	#552
1890s	24	2	-60%	#801
1900s	27	3	+13%	#862
1910s	193	19	+615%	#1,047
1920s	257	26	+33%	#1,120
1930s	194	19	-25%	#1,345
1940s	157	16	-19%	#1,436
1950s	129	13	-18%	#1,646
1960s	69	7	-47%	#2,048
1970s	24	2	-65%	#3,997
1980s	6	1	-75%	#5,996
1990s	7	1	+17%	#7,357
2000s	6	1	-14%	#9,368
2010s	–	–	–	–
2020s (to 2025)	6	1	–	#10,854

The story of Ballard

Ballard is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #10,854 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 1,159 American babies have been named Ballard. Its peak came in 1922, when 40 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1920s.

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 Ballard stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Ballard?

The median living Ballard is about 72 years old; half are between 63 and 79. An estimated 300 people named Ballard 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.

Ballard year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	6	#10,854
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	–	–
2016	–	–
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	–	–
2012	–	–
2011	–	–
2010	–	–
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	6	#9,368
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	–	–
1985	–	–
1980	–	–
1975	–	–
1970	5	#4,782
1965	9	#2,796
1960	16	#2,048
1955	8	#2,979
1950	14	#2,032
1945	16	#1,701
1940	22	#1,436
1935	19	#1,589
1930	25	#1,464
1925	13	#2,322
1920	26	#1,460
1915	29	#1,217
1910	10	#1,047
1905	–	–
1900	5	#1,327
1895	5	#1,093
1890	–	–
1885	5	#948
1880	6	#826

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Ballard?

The median living Ballard is about 72 years old. Half of all living Ballards are between 63 and 79 years old.

How many people named Ballard are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Ballard are alive in the United States, based on 1,159 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Ballard mean?

Ballard is a given name. Notable people with the name include:Ballard Berkeley (1904–1988), English actor Ballard Campbell, American historian Ballard MacDonald (1882–1935), American lyricist Ballard Smith (baseball), American spo

How popular is the name Ballard in 2025?

Ballard ranked #10,854 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Ballard?

1,159 babies have been named Ballard in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Ballard most popular?

Ballard peaked in 1922, when 40 newborns received the name.

Is Ballard a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Ballard rising or falling?

Ballard is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Ballard

Names that sound and feel close to Ballard: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Ballard with similar names → More names starting with B →