Lark
A surname originating as a patronymic shortened from Larkin, a medieval diminutive of Laurence.
Every Lark since 1885 — 2,134 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Lark
Lark is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #4,416 in 2025 with 32 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1885, 2,134 American babies have been named Lark — about 87% girls and 13% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1949, when 72 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
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 Lark stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Lark 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 | 32 | #4,416 | 6 | #11,447 |
| 2024 | 44 | #3,546 | 5 | #13,423 |
| 2023 | 45 | #3,504 | 7 | #10,341 |
| 2022 | 61 | #2,807 | 8 | #9,494 |
| 2021 | 56 | #2,982 | 6 | #11,567 |
| 2020 | 59 | #2,805 | 6 | #11,417 |
| 2019 | 57 | #2,913 | 7 | #10,377 |
| 2018 | 54 | #3,032 | — | — |
| 2017 | 58 | #2,887 | 6 | #11,592 |
| 2016 | 40 | #3,824 | 7 | #10,298 |
| 2015 | 38 | #3,955 | — | — |
| 2014 | 38 | #3,969 | — | — |
| 2013 | 38 | #3,968 | — | — |
| 2012 | 24 | #5,648 | — | — |
| 2011 | 23 | #5,854 | — | — |
| 2010 | 28 | #5,039 | — | — |
| 2009 | 20 | #6,708 | — | — |
| 2008 | 21 | #6,474 | — | — |
| 2007 | 19 | #6,977 | — | — |
| 2006 | 15 | #8,076 | — | — |
| 2005 | 14 | #8,139 | — | — |
| 2004 | 6 | #15,220 | — | — |
| 2003 | 12 | #8,822 | — | — |
| 2002 | 13 | #8,087 | — | — |
| 2001 | 12 | #8,508 | — | — |
| 2000 | 13 | #7,830 | — | — |
| 1995 | 18 | #5,335 | — | — |
| 1990 | 9 | #8,893 | — | — |
| 1985 | 11 | #6,263 | — | — |
| 1980 | 13 | #5,395 | — | — |
| 1975 | 12 | #5,006 | — | — |
| 1970 | 22 | #3,069 | 5 | #5,129 |
| 1965 | 11 | #4,075 | 6 | #3,744 |
| 1960 | 24 | #2,478 | 5 | #4,358 |
| 1955 | 38 | #1,680 | — | — |
| 1950 | 67 | #1,127 | — | — |
| 1945 | 7 | #3,849 | 6 | #3,171 |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | 6 | #3,822 |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | 7 | #3,667 |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | 7 | #806 |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Lark
- Lark Voorhies Actor · b. 1974
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lark mean?
A surname originating as a patronymic shortened from Larkin, a medieval diminutive of Laurence.
How popular is the name Lark in 2025?
Lark ranked #4,416 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 32 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Lark?
2,134 babies have been named Lark in the United States since 1885, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Lark most popular?
Lark peaked in 1949, when 72 newborns received the name.
Is Lark a boy or girl name?
Lark is used for both: about 87% of babies named Lark have been girls and 13% boys.
Is the name Lark rising or falling?
Lark is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Lark?
Well-known people named Lark include Lark Voorhies (actor).