Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1916

Erastus

Meaning lovable Gender Boy Rank 2025 Below top lists

From Ancient Greek Ἔραστος (Érastos), from ἐραστός (erastós, “lovable”).

Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Erastus
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1916
23 babies
All-time total
407
#8,919 all-time among boys
First recorded
1880
in Social Security records

Erastus popularity over time

407 babies have been named Erastus 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
0.050.10.150.218801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1880Boys

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 102 10 – #394
1890s 35 4 -66% #650
1900s 10 1 -71% #1,263
1910s 110 11 +1000% #1,474
1920s 103 10 -6% #1,930
1930s 23 2 -78% #2,923
1940s 19 2 -17% #2,765
1950s 5 1 -74% #4,159
1960s – – – –
1970s – – – –
1980s – – – –
1990s – – – –
2000s – – – –
2010s – – – –
2020s (to 2025) – – – –

The story of Erastus

Erastus 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 1880, 407 American babies have been named Erastus. Its peak came in 1916, when 23 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1910s.

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

Erastus year by year

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

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 – –
2024 – –
2023 – –
2022 – –
2021 – –
2020 – –
2019 – –
2018 – –
2017 – –
2016 – –
2015 – –
2014 – –
2013 – –
2012 – –
2011 – –
2010 – –
2009 – –
2008 – –
2007 – –
2006 – –
2005 – –
2004 – –
2003 – –
2002 – –
2001 – –
2000 – –
1995 – –
1990 – –
1985 – –
1980 – –
1975 – –
1970 – –
1965 – –
1960 – –
1955 – –
1950 – –
1945 – –
1940 – –
1935 – –
1930 6 #3,712
1925 8 #3,226
1920 10 #2,833
1915 21 #1,519
1910 – –
1905 – –
1900 5 #1,378
1895 – –
1890 – –
1885 15 #487
1880 19 #394

Frequently asked questions

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

What does the name Erastus mean?

From Ancient Greek Ἔραστος (Érastos), from ἐραστός (erastós, “lovable”).

How popular is the name Erastus in 2025?

Erastus 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 Erastus?

407 babies have been named Erastus in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Erastus most popular?

Erastus peaked in 1916, when 23 newborns received the name.

Is Erastus a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Erastus rising or falling?

Erastus has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Erastus

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

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