Baby Names US
Unisex name ★ peaked 1983

English

Gender Unisex · 59% girls Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among girls
Babies in 2025
<5
named English
How common
–
girls born in 2025
Peak year
1983
22 babies
All-time total
451
#16,071 all-time among girls
First recorded
1889
in Social Security records

English popularity over time

451 babies have been named English since 1889, 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
0.010.030.040.0518801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
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 – 5 5 1 – –
1890s – – – – – –
1900s – – – – – –
1910s – 39 39 4 – –
1920s – 57 57 6 +46% –
1930s – 23 23 2 -60% –
1940s – 22 22 2 -4% –
1950s – 35 35 4 +59% –
1960s 10 – 10 1 -71% #6,850
1970s 40 – 40 4 +300% #6,178
1980s 116 – 116 12 +190% #3,596
1990s 89 5 94 9 -19% #6,108
2000s 5 – 5 1 -95% #16,550
2010s 5 – 5 1 0% #17,355
2020s (to 2025) – – – – – –

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.

How old are people named English?

The median living English is about 39 years old; half are between 33 and 48. An estimated 300 people named English are alive in the United States today.

median 39 020406080100

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

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

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

  1. 1 English Gardner English Gardner American sprinter (born 1992) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average English?

The median living English is about 39 years old. Half of all living Englishs are between 33 and 48 years old.

How many people named English are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named English are alive in the United States, based on 451 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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).

Names like English

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

Compare English with similar names → More names starting with E →