boys' name · peaked 1962

Chip

A diminutive of the male given names Christopher and Charles.

Every Chip since 1942 — 3,493 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.030.050.080.118801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1963Boys
Rank 2025
#4,274
among boys
Babies in 2025
24
named Chip
Peak year
1962
171 babies
All-time total
3,493
since 1942

The story of Chip

Chip is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #4,274 in 2025 with 24 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1942, 3,493 American babies have been named Chip. Its peak came in 1962, when 171 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.

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

Chip year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 24 #4,274
2024 36 #3,282
2023 32 #3,579
2022 43 #2,928
2021 39 #3,082
2020 47 #2,665
2019 47 #2,701
2018 31 #3,549
2017 35 #3,256
2016 16 #5,602
2015 14 #6,054
2014 8 #8,920
2013 7 #9,837
2012
2011 6 #11,075
2010
2009 6 #11,245
2008 5 #12,858
2007 8 #9,057
2006 6 #10,907
2005 5 #11,749
2004
2003 5 #11,179
2002 7 #8,614
2001 6 #9,460
2000
1995 5 #9,085
1990 14 #4,004
1985 25 #2,180
1980 47 #1,381
1975 29 #1,714
1970 91 #846
1965 109 #715
1960 133 #681
1955 96 #746
1950 35 #1,223
1945 17 #1,638
1940
1935
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Chip

  1. Chip Taylor Singer · b. 1940

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Chip mean?

A diminutive of the male given names Christopher and Charles.

How popular is the name Chip in 2025?

Chip ranked #4,274 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 24 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Chip?

3,493 babies have been named Chip in the United States since 1942, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Chip most popular?

Chip peaked in 1962, when 171 newborns received the name.

Is Chip a boy or girl name?

Chip is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Chip rising or falling?

Chip is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Chip?

Well-known people named Chip include Chip Taylor (singer).

Names like Chip

Compare Chip with similar names →