Lyman: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#11,484

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Lyman

How common

1 in 284,679

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1917

220 babies

All-time total

8,559

#1,322 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Lyman popularity over time

8,559 babies have been named Lyman 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

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	297	30	–	#271
1890s	284	28	-4%	#307
1900s	309	31	+9%	#336
1910s	1,336	134	+332%	#360
1920s	1,823	182	+36%	#419
1930s	1,233	123	-32%	#485
1940s	1,099	110	-11%	#530
1950s	800	80	-27%	#719
1960s	487	49	-39%	#949
1970s	308	31	-37%	#1,189
1980s	227	23	-26%	#1,969
1990s	146	15	-36%	#2,725
2000s	63	6	-57%	#6,361
2010s	108	11	+71%	#5,390
2020s (to 2025)	39	7	-40%	#7,409

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.

How old are people named Lyman?

The median living Lyman is about 66 years old; half are between 49 and 78. An estimated 2,600 people named Lyman 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.

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

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

1 Lyman Lemnitzer US Army general (1899–1988) 19th century
2 Lyman Spitzer American astronomer (1914–1997) Contemporary
3 Lyman Abbott Theologian, editor, author (1835–1922) 19th century

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Lyman?

The median living Lyman is about 66 years old. Half of all living Lymans are between 49 and 78 years old.

How many people named Lyman are alive today?

An estimated 2,600 people named Lyman are alive in the United States, based on 8,559 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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 Lemnitzer (military personnel), Lyman Spitzer (physicist), Lyman Abbott (writer).

Names like Lyman

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

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