Harvard: 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	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	137	14	–	#1,129
1920s	138	14	+1%	#1,698
1930s	136	14	-1%	#1,790
1940s	87	9	-36%	#2,272
1950s	45	5	-48%	#2,655
1960s	17	2	-62%	#3,374
1970s	5	1	-71%	#6,222
1980s	6	1	+20%	#5,745
1990s	–	–	–	–
2000s	6	1	–	#11,563
2010s	27	3	+350%	#8,354
2020s (to 2025)	10	2	-38%	#7,865

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

137

–

#1,129

1920s

138

+1%

#1,698

1930s

136

-1%

#1,790

1940s

-36%

#2,272

1950s

-48%

#2,655

1960s

-62%

#3,374

1970s

-71%

#6,222

1980s

+20%

#5,745

1990s

–

2000s

–

#11,563

2010s

+350%

#8,354

2020s (to 2025)

-38%

#7,865

The story of Harvard

Harvard is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,865 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1912, 614 American babies have been named Harvard. Its peak came in 1915, when 27 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 Harvard stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Harvard?

The median living Harvard is about 70 years old; half are between 17 and 80. An estimated 200 people named Harvard 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.

Harvard year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	10	#7,865
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	7	#10,047
2017	–	–
2016	5	#12,909
2015	–	–
2014	6	#11,214
2013	9	#8,354
2012	–	–
2011	–	–
2010	–	–
2009	–	–
2008	6	#11,563
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	–	–
1985	–	–
1980	–	–
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	7	#3,374
1960	5	#4,277
1955	10	#2,655
1950	–	–
1945	10	#2,313
1940	10	#2,387
1935	14	#1,974
1930	17	#1,854
1925	13	#2,360
1920	8	#3,335
1915	27	#1,285
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Harvard?

The median living Harvard is about 70 years old. Half of all living Harvards are between 17 and 80 years old.

How many people named Harvard are alive today?

An estimated 200 people named Harvard are alive in the United States, based on 614 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Harvard mean?

A variant of Harward reflecting the merger of /v/ and /w/ in the dialects of southeastern England; thus from Middle English Herward, Herreward, itself from Old English Hereweard and a doublet of Harward and Hereward.

How popular is the name Harvard in 2025?

Harvard ranked #7,865 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Harvard?

614 babies have been named Harvard in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Harvard most popular?

Harvard peaked in 1915, when 27 newborns received the name.

Is Harvard a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Harvard rising or falling?

Harvard is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Harvard

Harvard popularity over time

The story of Harvard

How old are people named Harvard?

Harvard year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Harvard