boys' name · peaked 1917

Meyer

A male given name from Hebrew, of Jewish usage, an alternative form of Meir.

Every Meyer since 1881 — 5,612 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.10.20.30.418801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#1,693
among boys
Babies in 2025
105
named Meyer
Peak year
1917
214 babies
All-time total
5,612
since 1881

The story of Meyer

Meyer is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #1,693 in 2025 with 97 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1881, 5,612 American babies have been named Meyer. Its peak came in 1917, when 214 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 Meyer stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Meyer 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 8 #11,582 97 #1,693
2024 19 #6,324 91 #1,803
2023 17 #6,840 101 #1,690
2022 23 #5,580 90 #1,812
2021 13 #8,323 97 #1,696
2020 15 #7,456 80 #1,863
2019 6 #14,983 62 #2,252
2018 7 #13,364 67 #2,113
2017 20 #6,215 66 #2,104
2016 21 #6,121 77 #1,915
2015 14 #8,293 73 #1,994
2014 20 #6,364 64 #2,149
2013 19 #6,643 62 #2,157
2012 6 #16,240 56 #2,316
2011 33 #3,345
2010 36 #3,160
2009 46 #2,688
2008 36 #3,201
2007 39 #3,006
2006 23 #4,180
2005 33 #3,144
2004 17 #4,932
2003 22 #3,923
2002 13 #5,623
2001 19 #4,233
2000 26 #3,268
1995 20 #3,398
1990 21 #3,024
1985 12 #3,726
1980 5 #6,918
1975 16 #2,603
1970 8 #3,727
1965 6 #3,799
1960 10 #2,802
1955 16 #2,023
1950 14 #2,086
1945 17 #1,675
1940 12 #2,152
1935 16 #1,809
1930 35 #1,210
1925 87 #694
1920 132 #533
1915 203 #377
1910 52 #358
1905 22 #489
1900 19 #573
1895 12 #632
1890 7 #854
1885 5 #1,040
1880

Famous people named Meyer

  1. Meyer Lansky Mafioso · 1902–1983
  2. Meyer Guggenheim Businessperson · 1828–1905

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Meyer mean?

A male given name from Hebrew, of Jewish usage, an alternative form of Meir.

How popular is the name Meyer in 2025?

Meyer ranked #1,693 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 97 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Meyer?

5,612 babies have been named Meyer in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Meyer most popular?

Meyer peaked in 1917, when 214 newborns received the name.

Is Meyer a boy or girl name?

Meyer is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 96% of babies with the name.

Is the name Meyer rising or falling?

Meyer is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Meyer?

Well-known people named Meyer include Meyer Lansky (mafioso), Meyer Guggenheim (businessperson).

Names like Meyer

Compare Meyer with similar names →