Cotton: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	–	#4,307
1920s	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–
1970s	11	1	–	#4,603
1980s	32	3	+191%	#3,954
1990s	76	8	+137%	#4,710
2000s	104	10	+37%	#4,865
2010s	210	21	+102%	#3,527
2020s (to 2025)	69	12	-45%	#5,504

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#4,307

1920s

–

1930s

–

1940s

–

1950s

–

1960s

–

1970s

–

#4,603

1980s

+191%

#3,954

1990s

+137%

#4,710

2000s

104

+37%

#4,865

2010s

210

+102%

#3,527

2020s (to 2025)

-45%

#5,504

The story of Cotton

Cotton is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,388 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1918, 507 American babies have been named Cotton. Its peak came in 2015, when 31 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2010s.

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

How old are people named Cotton?

The median living Cotton is about 14 years old; half are between 8 and 24. An estimated 500 people named Cotton 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.

Cotton year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	9	#8,388
2024	9	#8,458
2023	12	#6,980
2022	10	#7,878
2021	13	#6,401
2020	16	#5,504
2019	22	#4,510
2018	20	#4,778
2017	17	#5,334
2016	18	#5,174
2015	31	#3,527
2014	22	#4,421
2013	20	#4,652
2012	13	#6,388
2011	30	#3,528
2010	17	#5,291
2009	17	#5,370
2008	9	#8,438
2007	13	#6,337
2006	13	#6,167
2005	17	#4,865
2004	12	#6,208
2003	7	#8,833
2002	–	–
2001	11	#6,096
2000	5	#10,676
1995	–	–
1990	6	#7,351
1985	–	–
1980	5	#6,428
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Cotton?

The median living Cotton is about 14 years old. Half of all living Cottons are between 8 and 24 years old.

How many people named Cotton are alive today?

An estimated 500 people named Cotton are alive in the United States, based on 507 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Cotton in 2025?

Cotton ranked #8,388 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Cotton?

507 babies have been named Cotton in the United States since 1918, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Cotton most popular?

Cotton peaked in 2015, when 31 newborns received the name.

Is Cotton a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Cotton rising or falling?

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

Who are famous people named Cotton?

Well-known people named Cotton include Cotton Mather (writer).

Cotton

Cotton popularity over time

The story of Cotton

How old are people named Cotton?

Cotton year by year

Famous people named Cotton

Frequently asked questions

Names like Cotton