Lem
Every Lem since 1880 — 1,297 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Lem
Lem 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, 1,297 American babies have been named Lem. Its peak came in 1917, when 39 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 Lem stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Lem 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 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | 5 | #4,229 |
| 1960 | 10 | #2,786 |
| 1955 | 6 | #3,722 |
| 1950 | 15 | #1,979 |
| 1945 | 10 | #2,328 |
| 1940 | 17 | #1,717 |
| 1935 | 19 | #1,630 |
| 1930 | 13 | #2,243 |
| 1925 | 27 | #1,438 |
| 1920 | 23 | #1,620 |
| 1915 | 27 | #1,288 |
| 1910 | 14 | #841 |
| 1905 | 9 | #881 |
| 1900 | 6 | #1,248 |
| 1895 | 13 | #590 |
| 1890 | 17 | #451 |
| 1885 | 18 | #430 |
| 1880 | 12 | #547 |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Lem in 2025?
Lem 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 Lem?
1,297 babies have been named Lem in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Lem most popular?
Lem peaked in 1917, when 39 newborns received the name.
Is Lem a boy or girl name?
Lem is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Lem rising or falling?
Lem has been roughly stable over the past decade.