Lyman
Every Lyman since 1880 — 8,559 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Lyman
Lyman is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #11,484 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 8,559 American babies have been named Lyman. Its peak came in 1917, when 220 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 Lyman stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Lyman year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | #11,484 |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | 5 | #13,422 |
| 2022 | 8 | #9,527 |
| 2021 | 11 | #7,409 |
| 2020 | 9 | #8,479 |
| 2019 | 8 | #9,411 |
| 2018 | 7 | #10,333 |
| 2017 | 15 | #5,963 |
| 2016 | 16 | #5,694 |
| 2015 | 12 | #6,926 |
| 2014 | 13 | #6,498 |
| 2013 | 8 | #9,337 |
| 2012 | 6 | #11,709 |
| 2011 | 6 | #11,728 |
| 2010 | 17 | #5,390 |
| 2009 | 5 | #13,718 |
| 2008 | 7 | #10,598 |
| 2007 | 7 | #10,462 |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | 6 | #10,957 |
| 2004 | 6 | #10,826 |
| 2003 | 9 | #7,605 |
| 2002 | 11 | #6,361 |
| 2001 | 6 | #10,053 |
| 2000 | 6 | #9,845 |
| 1995 | 10 | #5,755 |
| 1990 | 18 | #3,406 |
| 1985 | 26 | #2,156 |
| 1980 | 27 | #2,033 |
| 1975 | 26 | #1,866 |
| 1970 | 49 | #1,189 |
| 1965 | 42 | #1,179 |
| 1960 | 62 | #972 |
| 1955 | 85 | #797 |
| 1950 | 91 | #719 |
| 1945 | 100 | #607 |
| 1940 | 117 | #544 |
| 1935 | 127 | #510 |
| 1930 | 149 | #485 |
| 1925 | 186 | #440 |
| 1920 | 181 | #448 |
| 1915 | 180 | #400 |
| 1910 | 31 | #507 |
| 1905 | 28 | #406 |
| 1900 | 39 | #352 |
| 1895 | 21 | #433 |
| 1890 | 27 | #338 |
| 1885 | 29 | #315 |
| 1880 | 31 | #302 |
Famous people named Lyman
- Lyman Spitzer Physicist · 1914–1997
- Lyman Lemnitzer Military personnel · 1899–1988
- Lyman Abbott Writer · 1835–1922
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Lyman in 2025?
Lyman ranked #11,484 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Lyman?
8,559 babies have been named Lyman in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Lyman most popular?
Lyman peaked in 1917, when 220 newborns received the name.
Is Lyman a boy or girl name?
Lyman is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Lyman rising or falling?
Lyman is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Lyman?
Well-known people named Lyman include Lyman Spitzer (physicist), Lyman Lemnitzer (military personnel), Lyman Abbott (writer).