Columbus: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Columbus

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1922

187 babies

All-time total

7,517

#1,416 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Columbus popularity over time

7,517 babies have been named Columbus 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	513	51	–	#192
1890s	411	41	-20%	#257
1900s	397	40	-3%	#275
1910s	1,101	110	+177%	#391
1920s	1,526	153	+39%	#447
1930s	1,031	103	-32%	#554
1940s	866	87	-16%	#603
1950s	679	68	-22%	#741
1960s	360	36	-47%	#1,015
1970s	248	25	-31%	#1,498
1980s	159	16	-36%	#2,122
1990s	103	10	-35%	#4,140
2000s	69	7	-33%	#5,632
2010s	49	5	-29%	#8,198
2020s (to 2025)	5	1	-83%	#12,580

The story of Columbus

Columbus 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, 7,517 American babies have been named Columbus. Its peak came in 1922, when 187 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 Columbus stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Columbus?

The median living Columbus is about 68 years old; half are between 52 and 78. An estimated 2,000 people named Columbus 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.

Columbus 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	5	#12,580
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	7	#9,941
2018	6	#11,042
2017	5	#12,660
2016	7	#9,863
2015	–	–
2014	9	#8,264
2013	–	–
2012	6	#11,059
2011	9	#8,198
2010	–	–
2009	5	#12,846
2008	5	#12,873
2007	8	#9,063
2006	7	#9,754
2005	–	–
2004	13	#5,874
2003	6	#9,795
2002	7	#8,622
2001	6	#9,473
2000	12	#5,632
1995	9	#6,005
1990	13	#4,209
1985	12	#3,632
1980	25	#2,122
1975	17	#2,461
1970	27	#1,663
1965	38	#1,238
1960	52	#1,072
1955	71	#875
1950	86	#741
1945	73	#711
1940	84	#659
1935	94	#599
1930	116	#559
1925	154	#490
1920	144	#503
1915	135	#475
1910	41	#422
1905	37	#330
1900	45	#314
1895	42	#274
1890	43	#260
1885	41	#258
1880	64	#192

Famous people named Columbus

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

1 Columbus Short American actor (born 1982) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Columbus?

The median living Columbus is about 68 years old. Half of all living Columbuss are between 52 and 78 years old.

How many people named Columbus are alive today?

An estimated 2,000 people named Columbus are alive in the United States, based on 7,517 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Columbus mean?

From Latin columbus (“a dove”).

How popular is the name Columbus in 2025?

Columbus 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 Columbus?

7,517 babies have been named Columbus in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Columbus most popular?

Columbus peaked in 1922, when 187 newborns received the name.

Is Columbus a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Columbus rising or falling?

Columbus is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Columbus?

Well-known people named Columbus include Columbus Short (actor).

Names like Columbus

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

Compare Columbus with similar names → More names starting with C →