Baby Names US
Unisex name ★ peaked 1944

Curley

Gender Unisex · 17% girls Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Curley
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1944
83 babies
All-time total
3,124
#2,803 all-time among boys
First recorded
1881
in Social Security records

Curley popularity over time

3,124 babies have been named Curley since 1881, 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
0.050.10.150.218801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls

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 Girls Boys Total Per year Change Best rank
1880s – 19 19 2 – #788
1890s – 47 47 5 +147% #682
1900s 17 108 125 13 +166% #490
1910s 72 295 367 37 +194% #628
1920s 95 345 440 44 +20% #955
1930s 106 372 478 48 +9% #873
1940s 120 457 577 58 +21% #757
1950s 104 403 507 51 -12% #928
1960s 20 240 260 26 -49% #1,349
1970s – 157 157 16 -40% #2,096
1980s – 102 102 10 -35% #2,550
1990s – 35 35 4 -66% #5,938
2000s – 10 10 1 -71% #10,684
2010s – – – – – –
2020s (to 2025) – – – – – –

The story of Curley

Curley 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 1881, 3,124 American babies have been named Curley, about 83% boys and 17% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1944, when 83 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1940s.

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

How old are people named Curley?

The median living Curley is about 70 years old; half are between 58 and 78. An estimated 1,300 people named Curley are alive in the United States today.

median 70 020406080100

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Curley year by year

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

Year Girls Girls rank 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 – – 5 #11,223
2002 – – – –
2001 – – – –
2000 – – 5 #10,684
1995 – – 5 #9,122
1990 – – 8 #5,938
1985 – – 8 #4,788
1980 – – 19 #2,550
1975 – – 19 #2,298
1970 – – 15 #2,418
1965 – – 24 #1,595
1960 7 #5,274 32 #1,409
1955 12 #3,423 52 #1,048
1950 17 #2,455 55 #928
1945 14 #2,354 44 #967
1940 14 #2,217 37 #1,070
1935 8 #3,213 39 #1,024
1930 9 #3,111 33 #1,239
1925 11 #2,982 37 #1,169
1920 7 #4,051 33 #1,257
1915 – – 40 #1,000
1910 – – 11 #994
1905 – – 8 #941
1900 – – 14 #685
1895 – – 8 #808
1890 – – 6 #915
1885 – – – –
1880 – – – –

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Curley?

The median living Curley is about 70 years old. Half of all living Curleys are between 58 and 78 years old.

How many people named Curley are alive today?

An estimated 1,300 people named Curley are alive in the United States, based on 3,124 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Curley in 2025?

Curley 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 Curley?

3,124 babies have been named Curley in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Curley most popular?

Curley peaked in 1944, when 83 newborns received the name.

Is Curley a boy or girl name?

Curley is used for both: about 17% of babies named Curley have been girls and 83% boys.

Is the name Curley rising or falling?

Curley has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Curley

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

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