Harvard
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…
Every Harvard since 1912 — 614 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
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.