Columbus
From Latin columbus (“a dove”).
Every Columbus since 1880 — 7,517 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
- Columbus Short Actor · b. 1982
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
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).