Dudley
From Old English, literally "wood or clearing of Dudda (a personal name of unknown meaning)".
Every Dudley since 1880 — 11,988 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Dudley
Dudley is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #11,017 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 11,988 American babies have been named Dudley. Its peak came in 1931, when 286 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1930s.
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 Dudley stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Dudley 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 | — | — | 6 | #11,017 |
| 2024 | — | — | 9 | #8,505 |
| 2023 | — | — | 12 | #7,008 |
| 2022 | — | — | 7 | #10,091 |
| 2021 | — | — | 8 | #9,046 |
| 2020 | — | — | 8 | #8,953 |
| 2019 | — | — | 10 | #7,790 |
| 2018 | — | — | 7 | #9,958 |
| 2017 | — | — | 12 | #6,804 |
| 2016 | — | — | 12 | #6,836 |
| 2015 | — | — | 7 | #9,839 |
| 2014 | — | — | 8 | #9,001 |
| 2013 | — | — | 7 | #9,939 |
| 2012 | — | — | 11 | #7,193 |
| 2011 | — | — | 14 | #6,031 |
| 2010 | — | — | 9 | #8,323 |
| 2009 | — | — | 5 | #13,001 |
| 2008 | — | — | 11 | #7,337 |
| 2007 | — | — | 8 | #9,128 |
| 2006 | — | — | 13 | #6,202 |
| 2005 | — | — | 13 | #5,964 |
| 2004 | — | — | 10 | #7,119 |
| 2003 | — | — | 14 | #5,350 |
| 2002 | — | — | 10 | #6,674 |
| 2001 | — | — | 9 | #7,076 |
| 2000 | — | — | 14 | #5,110 |
| 1995 | — | — | 21 | #3,222 |
| 1990 | — | — | 30 | #2,326 |
| 1985 | — | — | 33 | #1,806 |
| 1980 | — | — | 34 | #1,705 |
| 1975 | — | — | 49 | #1,213 |
| 1970 | — | — | 56 | #1,094 |
| 1965 | — | — | 97 | #752 |
| 1960 | — | — | 150 | #636 |
| 1955 | — | — | 173 | #562 |
| 1950 | 6 | #4,890 | 211 | #455 |
| 1945 | — | — | 154 | #484 |
| 1940 | — | — | 156 | #464 |
| 1935 | — | — | 173 | #426 |
| 1930 | 7 | #3,757 | 207 | #405 |
| 1925 | 5 | #5,168 | 188 | #439 |
| 1920 | — | — | 199 | #425 |
| 1915 | 7 | #3,524 | 167 | #418 |
| 1910 | — | — | 36 | #456 |
| 1905 | — | — | 31 | #371 |
| 1900 | — | — | 33 | #385 |
| 1895 | — | — | 23 | #400 |
| 1890 | — | — | 18 | #427 |
| 1885 | — | — | 28 | #320 |
| 1880 | — | — | 27 | #329 |
Famous people named Dudley
- Dudley R. Herschbach Chemist · b. 1932
- Dudley Moore Actor · 1935–2002
- Dudley Pound Military personnel · 1877–1943
- Dudley Senanayake Politician · 1911–1973
- Dudley Storey Athlete · 1939–2017
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dudley mean?
From Old English, literally "wood or clearing of Dudda (a personal name of unknown meaning)".
How popular is the name Dudley in 2025?
Dudley ranked #11,017 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Dudley?
11,988 babies have been named Dudley in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Dudley most popular?
Dudley peaked in 1931, when 286 newborns received the name.
Is Dudley a boy or girl name?
Dudley is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Dudley rising or falling?
Dudley is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Dudley?
Well-known people named Dudley include Dudley R. Herschbach (chemist), Dudley Moore (actor), Dudley Pound (military personnel).