Holmes: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Holmes

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1915

24 babies

All-time total

610

#7,000 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Holmes popularity over time

610 babies have been named Holmes since 1880, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

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	11	1	–	#867
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	18	2	–	#958
1910s	135	14	+650%	#1,387
1920s	167	17	+24%	#1,608
1930s	103	10	-38%	#1,614
1940s	76	8	-26%	#1,948
1950s	49	5	-36%	#2,660
1960s	6	1	-88%	#3,887
1970s	10	1	+67%	#5,024
1980s	5	1	-50%	#6,640
1990s	–	–	–	–
2000s	–	–	–	–
2010s	14	1	–	#9,103
2020s (to 2025)	16	3	+90%	#11,445

The story of Holmes

Holmes is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1880, 610 American babies have been named Holmes. Its peak came in 1915, when 24 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 Holmes stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Holmes?

The median living Holmes is about 72 years old; half are between 54 and 82. An estimated 100 people named Holmes 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.

Holmes year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–
2024	6	#11,445
2023	–	–
2022	5	#13,057
2021	5	#12,831
2020	–	–
2019	6	#11,284
2018	–	–
2017	–	–
2016	–	–
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	8	#9,103
2012	–	–
2011	–	–
2010	–	–
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	–	–
1985	–	–
1980	5	#6,640
1975	–	–
1970	5	#5,024
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	8	#3,073
1950	9	#2,660
1945	9	#2,477
1940	10	#2,392
1935	8	#2,811
1930	9	#2,875
1925	23	#1,608
1920	20	#1,789
1915	24	#1,387
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	6	#867

Famous people named Holmes

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Holmes Herbert English-American actor (1882–1956) 19th century

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Holmes?

The median living Holmes is about 72 years old. Half of all living Holmess are between 54 and 82 years old.

How many people named Holmes are alive today?

An estimated 100 people named Holmes are alive in the United States, based on 610 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Holmes mean?

From holme, variant of holm (“islet”).

How popular is the name Holmes in 2025?

Holmes did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Holmes?

610 babies have been named Holmes in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Holmes most popular?

Holmes peaked in 1915, when 24 newborns received the name.

Is Holmes a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Holmes rising or falling?

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

Who are famous people named Holmes?

Well-known people named Holmes include Holmes Herbert (actor).

Names like Holmes

Names that sound and feel close to Holmes: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Holmes with similar names → More names starting with H →