Buster
Every Buster since 1880 — 8,178 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Buster
Buster is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #6,871 in 2025 with 12 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 8,178 American babies have been named Buster. Its peak came in 1918, when 251 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 Buster stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Buster 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 | — | — | 12 | #6,871 |
| 2024 | — | — | 13 | #6,521 |
| 2023 | — | — | 12 | #6,960 |
| 2022 | — | — | 21 | #4,731 |
| 2021 | — | — | 7 | #9,885 |
| 2020 | — | — | 11 | #7,113 |
| 2019 | — | — | 12 | #6,843 |
| 2018 | — | — | 10 | #7,709 |
| 2017 | — | — | 13 | #6,376 |
| 2016 | — | — | 13 | #6,418 |
| 2015 | — | — | 17 | #5,331 |
| 2014 | — | — | 18 | #5,093 |
| 2013 | — | — | 12 | #6,660 |
| 2012 | — | — | 11 | #7,141 |
| 2011 | — | — | 14 | #5,991 |
| 2010 | — | — | 11 | #7,147 |
| 2009 | — | — | 8 | #9,104 |
| 2008 | — | — | 11 | #7,271 |
| 2007 | — | — | 13 | #6,322 |
| 2006 | — | — | 6 | #10,860 |
| 2005 | — | — | 14 | #5,610 |
| 2004 | — | — | 10 | #7,044 |
| 2003 | — | — | 6 | #9,746 |
| 2002 | — | — | 9 | #7,122 |
| 2001 | — | — | 14 | #5,167 |
| 2000 | — | — | 8 | #7,539 |
| 1995 | — | — | 19 | #3,443 |
| 1990 | — | — | 18 | #3,327 |
| 1985 | — | — | 17 | #2,846 |
| 1980 | — | — | 23 | #2,223 |
| 1975 | — | — | 22 | #2,072 |
| 1970 | — | — | 20 | #1,999 |
| 1965 | — | — | 42 | #1,165 |
| 1960 | — | — | 55 | #1,034 |
| 1955 | — | — | 63 | #942 |
| 1950 | — | — | 95 | #704 |
| 1945 | — | — | 81 | #668 |
| 1940 | — | — | 95 | #610 |
| 1935 | — | — | 105 | #563 |
| 1930 | — | — | 142 | #501 |
| 1925 | — | — | 191 | #430 |
| 1920 | — | — | 207 | #409 |
| 1915 | — | — | 214 | #367 |
| 1910 | — | — | 98 | #240 |
| 1905 | — | — | 52 | #274 |
| 1900 | — | — | 25 | #456 |
| 1895 | — | — | 16 | #505 |
| 1890 | — | — | 8 | #753 |
| 1885 | — | — | 14 | #502 |
| 1880 | — | — | 8 | #688 |
Famous people named Buster
- Buster Keaton Actor · 1895–1966
- Buster Douglas Boxer · b. 1960
- Buster Crabbe Actor · 1908–1983
- Buster Posey Baseball player · b. 1987
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Buster in 2025?
Buster ranked #6,871 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 12 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Buster?
8,178 babies have been named Buster in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Buster most popular?
Buster peaked in 1918, when 251 newborns received the name.
Is Buster a boy or girl name?
Buster is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Buster rising or falling?
Buster has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Buster?
Well-known people named Buster include Buster Keaton (actor), Buster Douglas (boxer), Buster Crabbe (actor).