Brain
Every Brain since 1950 — 4,606 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Brain
Brain 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 1950, 4,606 American babies have been named Brain. Its peak came in 1982, when 189 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
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 Brain stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Brain 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 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | 6 | #10,963 |
| 2016 | — | — | 5 | #12,446 |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | 7 | #9,778 |
| 2012 | — | — | 6 | #10,966 |
| 2011 | — | — | 7 | #9,747 |
| 2010 | — | — | 8 | #8,912 |
| 2009 | — | — | 7 | #10,005 |
| 2008 | — | — | 13 | #6,443 |
| 2007 | — | — | 13 | #6,311 |
| 2006 | — | — | 13 | #6,141 |
| 2005 | — | — | 23 | #3,954 |
| 2004 | — | — | 13 | #5,851 |
| 2003 | — | — | 28 | #3,293 |
| 2002 | — | — | 24 | #3,565 |
| 2001 | — | — | 29 | #3,072 |
| 2000 | — | — | 28 | #3,084 |
| 1995 | — | — | 24 | #2,930 |
| 1990 | — | — | 75 | #1,278 |
| 1985 | 5 | #10,843 | 155 | #710 |
| 1980 | — | — | 177 | #652 |
| 1975 | — | — | 182 | #601 |
| 1970 | — | — | 143 | #692 |
| 1965 | — | — | 60 | #948 |
| 1960 | — | — | 23 | #1,695 |
| 1955 | — | — | 5 | #3,939 |
| 1950 | — | — | 5 | #3,748 |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Brain in 2025?
Brain 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 Brain?
4,606 babies have been named Brain in the United States since 1950, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Brain most popular?
Brain peaked in 1982, when 189 newborns received the name.
Is Brain a boy or girl name?
Brain is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Brain rising or falling?
Brain is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.