Bayard: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Bayard

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1918

32 babies

All-time total

922

#5,415 all-time among boys

First recorded

1882

in Social Security records

Bayard popularity over time

922 babies have been named Bayard since 1882, 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	10	1	–	#953
1890s	5	1	-50%	#1,135
1900s	12	1	+140%	#1,056
1910s	171	17	+1325%	#1,233
1920s	204	20	+19%	#1,417
1930s	110	11	-46%	#1,720
1940s	119	12	+8%	#1,893
1950s	103	10	-13%	#1,885
1960s	66	7	-36%	#2,424
1970s	35	4	-47%	#4,363
1980s	36	4	+3%	#4,550
1990s	18	2	-50%	#6,463
2000s	–	–	–	–
2010s	27	3	–	#8,229
2020s (to 2025)	6	1	-63%	#10,762

The story of Bayard

Bayard 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 1882, 922 American babies have been named Bayard. Its peak came in 1918, when 32 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1910s.

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

How old are people named Bayard?

The median living Bayard is about 64 years old; half are between 45 and 75. An estimated 300 people named Bayard 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.

Bayard 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	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	6	#10,762
2019	8	#9,003
2018	–	–
2017	9	#8,229
2016	–	–
2015	–	–
2014	5	#12,309
2013	5	#12,363
2012	–	–
2011	–	–
2010	–	–
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	8	#6,463
1990	–	–
1985	–	–
1980	5	#6,339
1975	7	#4,363
1970	–	–
1965	8	#3,006
1960	11	#2,545
1955	5	#3,927
1950	16	#1,885
1945	13	#1,934
1940	12	#2,089
1935	14	#1,933
1930	18	#1,760
1925	23	#1,590
1920	24	#1,545
1915	16	#1,793
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	7	#1,056
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Bayard

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Bayard Rustin American civil rights activist (1912–1987) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Bayard?

The median living Bayard is about 64 years old. Half of all living Bayards are between 45 and 75 years old.

How many people named Bayard are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Bayard are alive in the United States, based on 922 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Bayard mean?

Bayard is a masculine given name of French origin, most often linked to Pierre de Bayard, known as "the knight without fear and beyond reproach".

How popular is the name Bayard in 2025?

Bayard 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 Bayard?

922 babies have been named Bayard in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Bayard most popular?

Bayard peaked in 1918, when 32 newborns received the name.

Is Bayard a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Bayard rising or falling?

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

Who are famous people named Bayard?

Well-known people named Bayard include Bayard Rustin (social activist).

Names like Bayard

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

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