Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1956

Butch

Gender Boy Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Butch
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1956
139 babies
All-time total
3,423
#2,320 all-time among boys
First recorded
1919
in Social Security records

Butch popularity over time

3,423 babies have been named Butch since 1919, 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
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1950Boys

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 – – – –
1890s – – – –
1900s – – – –
1910s 5 1 – #4,239
1920s 5 1 0% #4,286
1930s 53 5 +960% #1,888
1940s 646 65 +1119% #662
1950s 1,189 119 +84% #631
1960s 740 74 -38% #704
1970s 316 32 -57% #1,299
1980s 211 21 -33% #1,859
1990s 121 12 -43% #3,015
2000s 73 7 -40% #5,720
2010s 36 4 -51% #8,246
2020s (to 2025) 28 5 +30% #7,823

The story of Butch

Butch 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 1919, 3,423 American babies have been named Butch. Its peak came in 1956, when 139 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1950s.

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

How old are people named Butch?

The median living Butch is about 65 years old; half are between 52 and 72. An estimated 2,600 people named Butch are alive in the United States today.

median 65 020406080100

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Butch 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 7 #10,066
2023 10 #7,823
2022 6 #11,086
2021 5 #12,443
2020 – –
2019 5 #12,452
2018 – –
2017 6 #10,988
2016 5 #12,492
2015 – –
2014 – –
2013 6 #10,947
2012 – –
2011 5 #12,564
2010 9 #8,246
2009 – –
2008 5 #12,806
2007 8 #9,038
2006 6 #10,861
2005 10 #7,194
2004 10 #7,045
2003 6 #9,747
2002 8 #7,743
2001 12 #5,720
2000 8 #7,540
1995 7 #7,090
1990 20 #3,070
1985 19 #2,610
1980 18 #2,629
1975 29 #1,712
1970 41 #1,299
1965 62 #935
1960 119 #716
1955 116 #680
1950 118 #638
1945 63 #775
1940 27 #1,288
1935 5 #3,718
1930 – –
1925 – –
1920 – –
1915 – –
1910 – –
1905 – –
1900 – –
1895 – –
1890 – –
1885 – –
1880 – –

Famous people named Butch

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

  1. 1 Butch Cassidy Butch Cassidy American Old West outlaw (1866–1908) 19th century
  2. 2 Butch Hartman Butch Hartman American animator (born 1965) Contemporary
  3. 3 Butch Walker Butch Walker American musician (born 1969) Contemporary
  4. 4 Butch Otter Butch Otter American politician (born 1942) Contemporary
  5. 5 Butch Reynolds American sprinter (born 1964) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Butch?

The median living Butch is about 65 years old. Half of all living Butchs are between 52 and 72 years old.

How many people named Butch are alive today?

An estimated 2,600 people named Butch are alive in the United States, based on 3,423 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Butch in 2025?

Butch 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 Butch?

3,423 babies have been named Butch in the United States since 1919, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Butch most popular?

Butch peaked in 1956, when 139 newborns received the name.

Is Butch a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Butch rising or falling?

Butch is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Butch?

Well-known people named Butch include Butch Cassidy (extremist), Butch Hartman (actor), Butch Walker (musician).

Names like Butch

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

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