Dudley: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#11,017

among boys · ↓2,512 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Dudley

How common

1 in 284,679

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1931

286 babies

All-time total

11,988

#1,092 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Dudley popularity over time

11,988 babies have been named Dudley since 1880, 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

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	–	270	270	27	–	#291
1890s	–	253	253	25	-6%	#301
1900s	–	312	312	31	+23%	#314
1910s	31	1,362	1,393	139	+346%	#364
1920s	31	1,964	1,995	200	+43%	#379
1930s	31	1,856	1,887	189	-5%	#328
1940s	21	1,798	1,819	182	-4%	#439
1950s	6	1,859	1,865	187	+3%	#455
1960s	–	1,039	1,039	104	-44%	#636
1970s	–	411	411	41	-60%	#1,094
1980s	–	291	291	29	-29%	#1,704
1990s	–	199	199	20	-32%	#2,326
2000s	–	107	107	11	-46%	#5,110
2010s	–	97	97	10	-9%	#6,031
2020s (to 2025)	–	50	50	8	-14%	#7,008

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.

How old are people named Dudley?

The median living Dudley is about 68 years old; half are between 56 and 77. An estimated 4,600 people named Dudley 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.

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

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Dudley Moore English actor, comedian and musician (1935–2002) Contemporary
2 Dudley Pound Royal Navy Admiral of the Fleet (1877–1943) 19th century
3 Dudley Senanayake Sri Lankan politician (1911–1973) Contemporary
4 Dudley R. Herschbach American chemist (born 1932) Contemporary
5 Dudley Storey New Zealand rower (1939–2017) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Dudley?

The median living Dudley is about 68 years old. Half of all living Dudleys are between 56 and 77 years old.

How many people named Dudley are alive today?

An estimated 4,600 people named Dudley are alive in the United States, based on 11,988 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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 Moore (actor), Dudley Pound (military personnel), Dudley Senanayake (politician).

Names like Dudley

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

Compare Dudley with similar names → More names starting with D →