Gaines: 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	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	10	1	–	#993
1890s	26	3	+160%	#1,033
1900s	19	2	-27%	#1,088
1910s	183	18	+863%	#1,149
1920s	239	24	+31%	#1,303
1930s	217	22	-9%	#1,234
1940s	202	20	-7%	#1,282
1950s	171	17	-15%	#1,446
1960s	94	9	-45%	#2,065
1970s	49	5	-48%	#3,031
1980s	50	5	+2%	#3,687
1990s	58	6	+16%	#5,638
2000s	94	9	+62%	#5,509
2010s	187	19	+99%	#3,716
2020s (to 2025)	118	20	+5%	#3,519

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

#993

1890s

+160%

#1,033

1900s

-27%

#1,088

1910s

183

+863%

#1,149

1920s

239

+31%

#1,303

1930s

217

-9%

#1,234

1940s

202

-7%

#1,282

1950s

171

-15%

#1,446

1960s

-45%

#2,065

1970s

-48%

#3,031

1980s

+2%

#3,687

1990s

+16%

#5,638

2000s

+62%

#5,509

2010s

187

+99%

#3,716

2020s (to 2025)

118

+5%

#3,519

The story of Gaines

Gaines is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,093 in 2025 with 19 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1882, 1,717 American babies have been named Gaines. Its peak came in 1915, when 32 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 Gaines stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Gaines?

The median living Gaines is about 34 years old; half are between 10 and 69. An estimated 900 people named Gaines 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.

Gaines year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	19	#5,093
2024	13	#6,582
2023	17	#5,532
2022	15	#5,959
2021	23	#4,410
2020	31	#3,519
2019	20	#4,850
2018	28	#3,818
2017	25	#4,149
2016	29	#3,716
2015	18	#5,134
2014	19	#4,937
2013	15	#5,751
2012	9	#8,387
2011	11	#7,158
2010	13	#6,472
2009	14	#6,204
2008	15	#5,865
2007	16	#5,509
2006	10	#7,610
2005	7	#9,446
2004	5	#11,953
2003	7	#8,978
2002	6	#9,781
2001	7	#8,610
2000	7	#8,492
1995	10	#5,638
1990	5	#8,568
1985	7	#5,345
1980	6	#5,768
1975	10	#3,515
1970	–	–
1965	5	#4,104
1960	16	#2,065
1955	19	#1,809
1950	26	#1,446
1945	21	#1,462
1940	28	#1,282
1935	11	#2,301
1930	25	#1,473
1925	25	#1,510
1920	18	#1,912
1915	32	#1,149
1910	6	#1,478
1905	–	–
1900	7	#1,088
1895	5	#1,145
1890	5	#1,056
1885	5	#993
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Gaines?

The median living Gaines is about 34 years old. Half of all living Gainess are between 10 and 69 years old.

How many people named Gaines are alive today?

An estimated 900 people named Gaines are alive in the United States, based on 1,717 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Gaines in 2025?

Gaines ranked #5,093 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 19 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Gaines?

1,717 babies have been named Gaines in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Gaines most popular?

Gaines peaked in 1915, when 32 newborns received the name.

Is Gaines a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Gaines rising or falling?

Gaines has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Gaines

Gaines popularity over time

The story of Gaines

How old are people named Gaines?

Gaines year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Gaines