boys' name · peaked 1958

Darwin

From Middle English Darwin, Derwin, from Old English Dēorwine (“a given name”), composed of dēore (“dear”) + wine (“friend”).

Every Darwin since 1881 — 26,436 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.10.20.30.418801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#961
among boys
Babies in 2025
241
named Darwin
Peak year
1958
425 babies
All-time total
26,436
since 1881

The story of Darwin

Darwin is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #961 in 2025 with 241 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1881, 26,436 American babies have been named Darwin. Its peak came in 1958, when 425 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 Darwin stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Darwin 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 241 #961
2024 293 #839
2023 228 #970
2022 229 #984
2021 196 #1,083
2020 248 #905
2019 223 #958
2018 6 #14,233 237 #907
2017 6 #14,569 266 #833
2016 6 #14,781 263 #857
2015 256 #869
2014 8 #12,214 236 #909
2013 259 #829
2012 248 #856
2011 5 #17,443 291 #773
2010 7 #13,830 313 #732
2009 5 #17,990 314 #740
2008 5 #18,212 280 #785
2007 261 #822
2006 266 #781
2005 212 #866
2004 5 #16,753 217 #820
2003 197 #871
2002 179 #901
2001 180 #878
2000 146 #1,007
1995 5 #13,956 120 #1,014
1990 128 #910
1985 107 #877
1980 119 #805
1975 125 #747
1970 207 #563
1965 383 #403
1960 392 #399
1955 343 #390
1950 324 #377
1945 235 #390
1940 309 #320
1935 330 #299
1930 280 #332
1925 225 #398
1920 174 #460
1915 139 #467
1910 18 #714
1905
1900 5 #1,357
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Darwin

  1. Darwin Machís Soccer player · b. 1993

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Darwin mean?

From Middle English Darwin, Derwin, from Old English Dēorwine (“a given name”), composed of dēore (“dear”) + wine (“friend”).

How popular is the name Darwin in 2025?

Darwin ranked #961 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 241 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Darwin?

26,436 babies have been named Darwin in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Darwin most popular?

Darwin peaked in 1958, when 425 newborns received the name.

Is Darwin a boy or girl name?

Darwin is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Darwin rising or falling?

Darwin has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Darwin?

Well-known people named Darwin include Darwin Machís (soccer player).

Names like Darwin

Compare Darwin with similar names →