Lon: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Lon

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1948

274 babies

All-time total

9,856

#1,217 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Lon popularity over time

9,856 babies have been named Lon 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

BoysGirls

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	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	491	491	49	–	#193
1890s	–	314	314	31	-36%	#250
1900s	–	170	170	17	-46%	#383
1910s	–	420	420	42	+147%	#730
1920s	5	664	669	67	+59%	#686
1930s	–	648	648	65	-3%	#671
1940s	–	1,452	1,452	145	+124%	#411
1950s	5	2,396	2,401	240	+65%	#434
1960s	10	1,723	1,733	173	-28%	#534
1970s	–	898	898	90	-48%	#670
1980s	–	367	367	37	-59%	#1,222
1990s	–	148	148	15	-60%	#1,926
2000s	–	78	78	8	-47%	#5,053
2010s	–	51	51	5	-35%	#7,931
2020s (to 2025)	–	16	16	3	-48%	#11,443

The story of Lon

Lon 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, 9,856 American babies have been named Lon. Its peak came in 1948, when 274 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 Lon stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Lon?

The median living Lon is about 65 years old; half are between 55 and 72. An estimated 5,500 people named Lon 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.

Lon 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	–	–	5	#13,559
2021	–	–	5	#13,319
2020	–	–	6	#11,443
2019	–	–	6	#11,610
2018	–	–	7	#10,327
2017	–	–	–	–
2016	–	–	10	#7,931
2015	–	–	8	#9,242
2014	–	–	6	#11,591
2013	–	–	–	–
2012	–	–	9	#8,598
2011	–	–	5	#13,558
2010	–	–	–	–
2009	–	–	6	#11,896
2008	–	–	9	#8,738
2007	–	–	5	#13,609
2006	–	–	9	#8,469
2005	–	–	–	–
2004	–	–	7	#9,556
2003	–	–	–	–
2002	–	–	15	#5,053
2001	–	–	14	#5,304
2000	–	–	13	#5,477
1995	–	–	11	#5,371
1990	–	–	40	#1,926
1985	–	–	37	#1,688
1980	–	–	57	#1,222
1975	–	–	73	#962
1970	–	–	150	#670
1965	–	–	154	#617
1960	5	#6,912	220	#534
1955	–	–	252	#467
1950	–	–	235	#434
1945	–	–	112	#573
1940	–	–	90	#629
1935	–	–	56	#840
1930	–	–	73	#748
1925	–	–	59	#876
1920	–	–	46	#1,027
1915	–	–	54	#838
1910	–	–	14	#843
1905	–	–	9	#884
1900	–	–	34	#383
1895	–	–	31	#334
1890	–	–	46	#250
1885	–	–	38	#270
1880	–	–	64	#193

Famous people named Lon

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

1 Lon Chaney American actor (1883–1930) 19th century
2 Léon Degrelle Belgian politician and Nazi collaborator (1906–1994) Contemporary
3 Léon Blum French politician (1872–1950) 19th century
4 Lon Nol Prime Minister of Cambodia (1966–1967; 1969–1971) 1913–1985 · Contemporary
5 Léon Gambetta French politician (1838–1882) 19th century
6 Léon Foucault French physicist (1819–1868) 19th century
7 Léon Bloy French writer, poet and essayist (1846–1917) 19th century
8 Léon Bakst Russian painter (1866–1924) 19th century
9 Léon Walras French mathematical economist (1834–1910) 19th century
10 Léon M'ba Prime Minister (1959–61) and President (1961–67) of Gabon 1902–1967 · Contemporary
11 Lon L. Fuller American philosopher of law (1902–1978) Contemporary
12 Léon Werth French writer and art critic 1878–1955 · 19th century
13 Léon Bonnat French painter and educator (1833–1922) 19th century
14 Léon Brillouin French physicist (1889–1969) 19th century
15 Léon Daudet French journalist (1867–1942) 19th century
16 Léon Bourgeois French statesman (1851–1925) 19th century
17 Léon Cogniet French painter (1794–1880) 18th century
18 Léon Boëllmann French composer and organist (1862–1897) 19th century
19 Léon Gaumont French inventor, engineer and industrialist (1864–1946) 19th century
20 Léon Theremin Russian inventor (1896–1993) 19th century

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Lon?

The median living Lon is about 65 years old. Half of all living Lons are between 55 and 72 years old.

How many people named Lon are alive today?

An estimated 5,500 people named Lon are alive in the United States, based on 9,856 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Lon mean?

A male given name; diminutive form Lonnie.

How popular is the name Lon in 2025?

Lon 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 Lon?

9,856 babies have been named Lon in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Lon most popular?

Lon peaked in 1948, when 274 newborns received the name.

Is Lon a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Lon rising or falling?

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

Who are famous people named Lon?

Well-known people named Lon include Lon Chaney (actor), Léon Degrelle (politician), Léon Blum (politician).

Names like Lon

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

Compare Lon with similar names → More names starting with L →