Burgess: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Burgess

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1922

28 babies

All-time total

1,089

#4,859 all-time among boys

First recorded

1884

in Social Security records

Burgess popularity over time

1,089 babies have been named Burgess since 1884, 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	5	1	–	#991
1890s	11	1	+120%	#901
1900s	13	1	+18%	#1,112
1910s	162	16	+1146%	#1,116
1920s	208	21	+28%	#1,399
1930s	154	15	-26%	#1,509
1940s	177	18	+15%	#1,360
1950s	114	11	-36%	#2,107
1960s	95	10	-17%	#2,346
1970s	64	6	-33%	#2,441
1980s	58	6	-9%	#4,564
1990s	16	2	-72%	#7,385
2000s	5	1	-69%	#12,634
2010s	7	1	+40%	#9,849
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

The story of Burgess

Burgess 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 1884, 1,089 American babies have been named Burgess. Its peak came in 1922, when 28 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 Burgess stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Burgess?

The median living Burgess is about 64 years old; half are between 50 and 77. An estimated 400 people named Burgess 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.

Burgess 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	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	–	–
2016	–	–
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	–	–
2012	–	–
2011	–	–
2010	7	#9,849
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	5	#12,634
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	5	#8,278
1985	8	#4,754
1980	7	#5,000
1975	5	#5,573
1970	–	–
1965	9	#2,807
1960	9	#2,897
1955	12	#2,315
1950	12	#2,225
1945	14	#1,860
1940	12	#2,093
1935	14	#1,942
1930	15	#1,976
1925	22	#1,635
1920	18	#1,896
1915	20	#1,561
1910	9	#1,126
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	6	#901
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Burgess

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

1 Burgess Meredith American actor (1907–1997) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Burgess?

The median living Burgess is about 64 years old. Half of all living Burgesss are between 50 and 77 years old.

How many people named Burgess are alive today?

An estimated 400 people named Burgess are alive in the United States, based on 1,089 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Burgess mean?

Burgess is a masculine given name which may refer to:Burgess Gardner (1936–2021), American jazz musician Burgess Jenkins, American actor Burgess Meredith (1907–1997), American actor Burgess Owens, American footballer Burgess White

How popular is the name Burgess in 2025?

Burgess 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 Burgess?

1,089 babies have been named Burgess in the United States since 1884, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Burgess most popular?

Burgess peaked in 1922, when 28 newborns received the name.

Is Burgess a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Burgess rising or falling?

Burgess has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Burgess?

Well-known people named Burgess include Burgess Meredith (actor).

Names like Burgess

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

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