Essex: 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	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	15	15	2	–	#944
1890s	–	18	18	2	+20%	#809
1900s	–	5	5	1	-72%	#1,188
1910s	–	34	34	3	+580%	#2,737
1920s	–	57	57	6	+68%	#2,487
1930s	–	35	35	4	-39%	#2,675
1940s	–	49	49	5	+40%	#2,615
1950s	–	40	40	4	-18%	#2,912
1960s	–	13	13	1	-67%	#3,184
1970s	–	34	34	3	+162%	#3,735
1980s	–	8	8	1	-76%	#5,009
1990s	–	–	–	–	–	–
2000s	–	22	22	2	–	#8,588
2010s	–	28	28	3	+27%	#11,103
2020s (to 2025)	8	77	85	14	+406%	#4,758

Decade

Girls

Boys

Total

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

#944

1890s

–

+20%

#809

1900s

–

-72%

#1,188

1910s

–

+580%

#2,737

1920s

–

+68%

#2,487

1930s

–

-39%

#2,675

1940s

–

+40%

#2,615

1950s

–

-18%

#2,912

1960s

–

-67%

#3,184

1970s

–

+162%

#3,735

1980s

–

-76%

#5,009

1990s

–

2000s

–

#8,588

2010s

–

+27%

#11,103

2020s (to 2025)

+406%

#4,758

The story of Essex

Essex is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #4,758 in 2025 with 21 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1882, 443 American babies have been named Essex. Its peak came in 2023, when 24 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2020s.

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

How old are people named Essex?

The median living Essex is about 17 years old; half are between 2 and 64. An estimated 200 people named Essex 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.

Essex 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	–	–	21	#4,758
2024	–	–	17	#5,507
2023	8	#11,520	16	#5,738
2022	–	–	12	#6,944
2021	–	–	11	#7,249
2020	–	–	–	–
2019	–	–	–	–
2018	–	–	–	–
2017	–	–	6	#11,183
2016	–	–	6	#11,147
2015	–	–	6	#11,103
2014	–	–	–	–
2013	–	–	5	#12,713
2012	–	–	–	–
2011	–	–	5	#12,881
2010	–	–	–	–
2009	–	–	5	#13,060
2008	–	–	5	#13,147
2007	–	–	–	–
2006	–	–	–	–
2005	–	–	–	–
2004	–	–	5	#11,912
2003	–	–	–	–
2002	–	–	–	–
2001	–	–	7	#8,588
2000	–	–	–	–
1995	–	–	–	–
1990	–	–	–	–
1985	–	–	–	–
1980	–	–	–	–
1975	–	–	9	#3,735
1970	–	–	–	–
1965	–	–	–	–
1960	–	–	–	–
1955	–	–	8	#3,043
1950	–	–	–	–
1945	–	–	5	#3,472
1940	–	–	5	#3,612
1935	–	–	5	#3,838
1930	–	–	8	#3,110
1925	–	–	6	#3,884
1920	–	–	6	#3,977
1915	–	–	8	#2,906
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Essex?

The median living Essex is about 17 years old. Half of all living Essexs are between 2 and 64 years old.

How many people named Essex are alive today?

An estimated 200 people named Essex are alive in the United States, based on 443 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Essex in 2025?

Essex ranked #4,758 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 21 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Essex?

443 babies have been named Essex in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Essex most popular?

Essex peaked in 2023, when 24 newborns received the name.

Is Essex a boy or girl name?

Essex is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 98% of babies with the name.

Is the name Essex rising or falling?

Essex is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Essex

Essex popularity over time

The story of Essex

How old are people named Essex?

Essex year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Essex