Butler: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Butler

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1919

31 babies

All-time total

987

#5,180 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Butler popularity over time

987 babies have been named Butler since 1880, 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	84	8	–	#518
1890s	87	9	+4%	#575
1900s	54	5	-38%	#750
1910s	199	20	+269%	#1,127
1920s	184	18	-8%	#1,547
1930s	121	12	-34%	#1,401
1940s	127	13	+5%	#1,490
1950s	65	7	-49%	#2,687
1960s	35	4	-46%	#3,074
1970s	10	1	-71%	#5,003
1980s	10	1	0%	#3,883
1990s	11	1	+10%	#8,085
2000s	–	–	–	–
2010s	–	–	–	–
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

The story of Butler

Butler 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 1880, 987 American babies have been named Butler. Its peak came in 1919, when 31 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 Butler stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Butler?

The median living Butler is about 74 years old; half are between 64 and 82. An estimated 200 people named Butler 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.

Butler 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	–	–
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	5	#8,279
1985	–	–
1980	10	#3,883
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	8	#3,125
1955	9	#2,794
1950	5	#3,758
1945	15	#1,784
1940	13	#1,994
1935	11	#2,267
1930	12	#2,317
1925	9	#2,958
1920	24	#1,547
1915	25	#1,346
1910	8	#1,214
1905	–	–
1900	12	#750
1895	9	#745
1890	11	#608
1885	12	#554
1880	8	#689

Famous people named Butler

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

1 Butler Lampson American computer scientist b. 1943 · Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Butler?

The median living Butler is about 74 years old. Half of all living Butlers are between 64 and 82 years old.

How many people named Butler are alive today?

An estimated 200 people named Butler are alive in the United States, based on 987 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Butler mean?

Butler is a masculine given name which is borne by:Butler Ames (1871–1954), American politician, engineer, soldier and businessman Butler B'ynote', American football player Butler Derrick (1936–2014), U.S.

How popular is the name Butler in 2025?

Butler 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 Butler?

987 babies have been named Butler in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Butler most popular?

Butler peaked in 1919, when 31 newborns received the name.

Is Butler a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Butler rising or falling?

Butler has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Butler?

Well-known people named Butler include Butler Lampson (engineer).

Names like Butler

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

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