Lafe: 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	54	5	–	#459
1890s	16	2	-70%	#949
1900s	12	1	-25%	#1,039
1910s	76	8	+533%	#1,813
1920s	87	9	+14%	#2,559
1930s	57	6	-34%	#2,397
1940s	49	5	-14%	#2,824
1950s	53	5	+8%	#2,677
1960s	61	6	+15%	#2,191
1970s	68	7	+11%	#3,095
1980s	76	8	+12%	#3,161
1990s	22	2	-71%	#7,832
2000s	27	3	+23%	#7,230
2010s	27	3	0%	#11,600
2020s (to 2025)	11	2	-32%	#11,411

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

#459

1890s

-70%

#949

1900s

-25%

#1,039

1910s

+533%

#1,813

1920s

+14%

#2,559

1930s

-34%

#2,397

1940s

-14%

#2,824

1950s

+8%

#2,677

1960s

+15%

#2,191

1970s

+11%

#3,095

1980s

+12%

#3,161

1990s

-71%

#7,832

2000s

+23%

#7,230

2010s

#11,600

2020s (to 2025)

-32%

#11,411

The story of Lafe

Lafe is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #13,115 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 696 American babies have been named Lafe. Its peak came in 1884, when 17 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the late 1800s.

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

How old are people named Lafe?

The median living Lafe is about 47 years old; half are between 37 and 63. An estimated 300 people named Lafe 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.

Lafe year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	5	#13,115
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	6	#11,411
2019	–	–
2018	5	#13,326
2017	–	–
2016	5	#13,386
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	5	#13,246
2012	6	#11,648
2011	–	–
2010	6	#11,600
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	–	–
2006	11	#7,230
2005	5	#12,550
2004	–	–
2003	6	#10,324
2002	5	#11,736
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	5	#8,912
1985	7	#5,494
1980	7	#5,263
1975	11	#3,341
1970	–	–
1965	10	#2,704
1960	–	–
1955	10	#2,677
1950	5	#3,961
1945	5	#3,562
1940	–	–
1935	7	#3,120
1930	6	#3,817
1925	9	#3,036
1920	5	#4,657
1915	9	#2,734
1910	–	–
1905	7	#1,039
1900	–	–
1895	5	#1,173
1890	6	#949
1885	10	#623
1880	9	#663

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Lafe?

The median living Lafe is about 47 years old. Half of all living Lafes are between 37 and 63 years old.

How many people named Lafe are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Lafe are alive in the United States, based on 696 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Lafe mean?

A diminutive of the male given name Lafayette.

How popular is the name Lafe in 2025?

Lafe ranked #13,115 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Lafe?

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

When was the name Lafe most popular?

Lafe peaked in 1884, when 17 newborns received the name.

Is Lafe a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Lafe rising or falling?

Lafe has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Lafe

Lafe popularity over time

The story of Lafe

How old are people named Lafe?

Lafe year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Lafe