Errol
Transferred from a rare Scottish surname derived from a place name, of unknown meaning.
Every Errol since 1896 — 8,631 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Errol
Errol is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,454 in 2025 with 17 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1896, 8,631 American babies have been named Errol. Its peak came in 1941, when 272 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
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 Errol stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Errol year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17 | #5,454 |
| 2024 | 15 | #5,994 |
| 2023 | 15 | #6,020 |
| 2022 | 8 | #9,242 |
| 2021 | 16 | #5,618 |
| 2020 | 20 | #4,749 |
| 2019 | 23 | #4,379 |
| 2018 | 28 | #3,816 |
| 2017 | 28 | #3,808 |
| 2016 | 25 | #4,129 |
| 2015 | 28 | #3,811 |
| 2014 | 21 | #4,590 |
| 2013 | 39 | #2,908 |
| 2012 | 31 | #3,468 |
| 2011 | 19 | #4,872 |
| 2010 | 33 | #3,332 |
| 2009 | 30 | #3,578 |
| 2008 | 32 | #3,440 |
| 2007 | 32 | #3,395 |
| 2006 | 32 | #3,334 |
| 2005 | 39 | #2,764 |
| 2004 | 37 | #2,801 |
| 2003 | 38 | #2,634 |
| 2002 | 36 | #2,655 |
| 2001 | 33 | #2,828 |
| 2000 | 49 | #2,063 |
| 1995 | 73 | #1,383 |
| 1990 | 85 | #1,184 |
| 1985 | 110 | #859 |
| 1980 | 114 | #823 |
| 1975 | 94 | #858 |
| 1970 | 140 | #704 |
| 1965 | 125 | #663 |
| 1960 | 148 | #641 |
| 1955 | 102 | #724 |
| 1950 | 136 | #584 |
| 1945 | 119 | #548 |
| 1940 | 246 | #365 |
| 1935 | 17 | #1,728 |
| 1930 | 16 | #1,914 |
| 1925 | 23 | #1,600 |
| 1920 | 20 | #1,777 |
| 1915 | 10 | #2,500 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Errol
- Errol Flynn Actor · 1909–1959
- Errol Morris Film director · b. 1948
- Errol Spence Jr. Boxer · b. 1990
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Errol mean?
Transferred from a rare Scottish surname derived from a place name, of unknown meaning.
How popular is the name Errol in 2025?
Errol ranked #5,454 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 17 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Errol?
8,631 babies have been named Errol in the United States since 1896, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Errol most popular?
Errol peaked in 1941, when 272 newborns received the name.
Is Errol a boy or girl name?
Errol is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Errol rising or falling?
Errol is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Errol?
Well-known people named Errol include Errol Flynn (actor), Errol Morris (film director), Errol Spence Jr. (boxer).