boys' name · peaked 1920

Irvine

Probably from Celtic words cognate with Welsh ir, yr (“green, fresh”) + afon (“water”).

Every Irvine since 1883 — 904 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.030.050.080.118801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Irvine
Peak year
1920
31 babies
All-time total
904
since 1883

The story of Irvine

Irvine 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 1883, 904 American babies have been named Irvine. Its peak came in 1920, when 31 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.

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

Irvine 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
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006 6 #11,174
2005
2004
2003 5 #11,557
2002
2001 6 #9,733
2000 7 #8,544
1995 5 #9,404
1990 6 #7,521
1985
1980
1975
1970
1965
1960 6 #3,828
1955 8 #3,078
1950 5 #3,921
1945 9 #2,481
1940 13 #2,029
1935 11 #2,322
1930 8 #3,146
1925 9 #3,025
1920 5 #5,319 26 #1,478
1915 30 #1,197
1910 5 #1,713
1905 10 #816
1900
1895
1890 6 #943
1885
1880

Famous people named Irvine

  1. Irvine Welsh Writer · b. 1957

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Irvine mean?

Probably from Celtic words cognate with Welsh ir, yr (“green, fresh”) + afon (“water”).

How popular is the name Irvine in 2025?

Irvine 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 Irvine?

904 babies have been named Irvine in the United States since 1883, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Irvine most popular?

Irvine peaked in 1920, when 31 newborns received the name.

Is Irvine a boy or girl name?

Irvine is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Irvine rising or falling?

Irvine has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Irvine?

Well-known people named Irvine include Irvine Welsh (writer).

Names like Irvine

Compare Irvine with similar names →