English
Every English since 1889 — 451 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of English
English 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 1889, 451 American babies have been named English — about 59% girls and 41% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1983, when 22 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
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 English stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
English 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 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | 5 | #17,355 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | 5 | #16,550 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | 8 | #9,867 | — | — |
| 1990 | 10 | #8,064 | — | — |
| 1985 | 16 | #4,694 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | 5 | #9,494 | — | — |
| 1970 | 5 | #8,357 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | 9 | #2,833 |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | 6 | #3,375 |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | 6 | #3,877 |
| 1920 | — | — | 7 | #3,597 |
| 1915 | — | — | 5 | #4,001 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named English
- English Gardner Athlete · b. 1992
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name English in 2025?
English 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 English?
451 babies have been named English in the United States since 1889, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name English most popular?
English peaked in 1983, when 22 newborns received the name.
Is English a boy or girl name?
English is used for both: about 59% of babies named English have been girls and 41% boys.
Is the name English rising or falling?
English is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named English?
Well-known people named English include English Gardner (athlete).