Durham: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	25	3	–	#3,010
1920s	37	4	+48%	#2,867
1930s	6	1	-84%	#3,265
1940s	17	2	+183%	#3,208
1950s	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–
1970s	–	–	–	–
1980s	–	–	–	–
1990s	10	1	–	#9,689
2000s	76	8	+660%	#4,979
2010s	92	9	+21%	#6,032
2020s (to 2025)	46	8	-17%	#6,927

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#3,010

1920s

+48%

#2,867

1930s

-84%

#3,265

1940s

+183%

#3,208

1950s

–

1960s

–

1970s

–

1980s

–

1990s

–

#9,689

2000s

+660%

#4,979

2010s

+21%

#6,032

2020s (to 2025)

-17%

#6,927

The story of Durham

Durham is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #11,018 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1915, 309 American babies have been named Durham. Its peak came in 2009, when 19 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2000s.

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

How old are people named Durham?

The median living Durham is about 14 years old; half are between 7 and 18. An estimated 200 people named Durham 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.

Durham year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	6	#11,018
2024	10	#7,913
2023	10	#7,875
2022	12	#6,927
2021	8	#9,048
2020	–	–
2019	6	#11,142
2018	9	#8,337
2017	11	#7,232
2016	9	#8,329
2015	5	#12,578
2014	10	#7,704
2013	11	#7,170
2012	9	#8,340
2011	14	#6,032
2010	8	#9,018
2009	19	#4,979
2008	15	#5,845
2007	13	#6,362
2006	7	#9,859
2005	8	#8,504
2004	5	#11,858
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	9	#7,077
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	–	–
1985	–	–
1980	–	–
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	5	#3,987
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Durham?

The median living Durham is about 14 years old. Half of all living Durhams are between 7 and 18 years old.

How many people named Durham are alive today?

An estimated 200 people named Durham are alive in the United States, based on 309 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Durham in 2025?

Durham ranked #11,018 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 Durham?

309 babies have been named Durham in the United States since 1915, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Durham most popular?

Durham peaked in 2009, when 19 newborns received the name.

Is Durham a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Durham rising or falling?

Durham has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Durham

Durham popularity over time

The story of Durham

How old are people named Durham?

Durham year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Durham