Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1959

Curtiss

Gender Boy Rank 2025 Below top lists

Curtis or Curtiss is a common English given name and surname of Anglo-Norman origin, deriving from the Old French curteis which was in turn derived from Latin cohors.

Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Curtiss
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1959
126 babies
All-time total
5,074
#1,764 all-time among boys
First recorded
1896
in Social Security records

Curtiss popularity over time

5,074 babies have been named Curtiss since 1896, 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
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1935Boys

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 6 1 – #1,007
1900s 16 2 +167% #906
1910s 236 24 +1375% #1,047
1920s 475 48 +101% #756
1930s 586 59 +23% #703
1940s 781 78 +33% #674
1950s 947 95 +21% #681
1960s 792 79 -16% #737
1970s 463 46 -42% #934
1980s 379 38 -18% #1,323
1990s 232 23 -39% #2,059
2000s 94 9 -59% #5,344
2010s 57 6 -39% #6,102
2020s (to 2025) 10 2 -71% #12,428

The story of Curtiss

Curtiss 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 1896, 5,074 American babies have been named Curtiss. Its peak came in 1959, when 126 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1950s.

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

How old are people named Curtiss?

The median living Curtiss is about 62 years old; half are between 46 and 71. An estimated 3,000 people named Curtiss are alive in the United States today.

median 62 020406080100

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

Curtiss 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 5 #12,716
2023 – –
2022 – –
2021 – –
2020 5 #12,428
2019 6 #11,060
2018 – –
2017 5 #12,683
2016 – –
2015 – –
2014 11 #7,160
2013 8 #8,959
2012 7 #9,918
2011 6 #11,110
2010 14 #6,102
2009 13 #6,505
2008 11 #7,301
2007 – –
2006 6 #10,940
2005 7 #9,313
2004 10 #7,074
2003 10 #6,826
2002 13 #5,462
2001 11 #6,098
2000 13 #5,344
1995 12 #4,852
1990 32 #2,226
1985 37 #1,678
1980 38 #1,575
1975 42 #1,347
1970 73 #934
1965 51 #1,033
1960 89 #809
1955 109 #700
1950 71 #807
1945 72 #721
1940 63 #783
1935 74 #703
1930 51 #947
1925 44 #1,046
1920 42 #1,094
1915 27 #1,273
1910 8 #1,226
1905 – –
1900 – –
1895 – –
1890 – –
1885 – –
1880 – –

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Curtiss?

The median living Curtiss is about 62 years old. Half of all living Curtisss are between 46 and 71 years old.

How many people named Curtiss are alive today?

An estimated 3,000 people named Curtiss are alive in the United States, based on 5,074 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Curtiss mean?

Curtis or Curtiss is a common English given name and surname of Anglo-Norman origin, deriving from the Old French curteis which was in turn derived from Latin cohors.

How popular is the name Curtiss in 2025?

Curtiss 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 Curtiss?

5,074 babies have been named Curtiss in the United States since 1896, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Curtiss most popular?

Curtiss peaked in 1959, when 126 newborns received the name.

Is Curtiss a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Curtiss rising or falling?

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

Names like Curtiss

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

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