British
Every British since 1969 — 331 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of British
British is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #13,496 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1969, 331 American babies have been named British — about 91% girls and 9% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1989, when 21 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 British stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
British 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 | #13,496 | — | — |
| 2024 | 6 | #13,779 | — | — |
| 2023 | 6 | #13,754 | — | — |
| 2022 | 7 | #12,482 | — | — |
| 2021 | 9 | #10,438 | — | — |
| 2020 | 10 | #9,684 | 5 | #12,312 |
| 2019 | 11 | #9,235 | 5 | #12,432 |
| 2018 | 17 | #6,851 | — | — |
| 2017 | 14 | #7,922 | — | — |
| 2016 | 15 | #7,662 | — | — |
| 2015 | 21 | #6,062 | — | — |
| 2014 | 20 | #6,243 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | 5 | #17,229 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | 7 | #13,251 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | 6 | #11,997 | — | — |
| 1990 | 13 | #6,515 | 5 | #8,272 |
| 1985 | 5 | #10,866 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name British in 2025?
British ranked #13,496 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named British?
331 babies have been named British in the United States since 1969, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name British most popular?
British peaked in 1989, when 21 newborns received the name.
Is British a boy or girl name?
British is used for both: about 91% of babies named British have been girls and 9% boys.
Is the name British rising or falling?
British is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.