Napoleon
From French Napoléon, from Italian Napoleone, name of an early saint, of uncertain origin; possibly from the Germanic clan name Nibelung.
Every Napoleon since 1880 — 7,810 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Napoleon
Napoleon is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #4,651 in 2025 with 22 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 7,810 American babies have been named Napoleon. Its peak came in 1926, when 122 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
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 Napoleon stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Napoleon 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 | — | — | 22 | #4,651 |
| 2024 | — | — | 12 | #7,127 |
| 2023 | — | — | 13 | #6,784 |
| 2022 | — | — | 10 | #8,129 |
| 2021 | — | — | 14 | #6,240 |
| 2020 | — | — | 12 | #6,908 |
| 2019 | — | — | 15 | #6,019 |
| 2018 | — | — | 26 | #4,074 |
| 2017 | — | — | 15 | #5,979 |
| 2016 | — | — | 13 | #6,604 |
| 2015 | — | — | 18 | #5,211 |
| 2014 | — | — | 17 | #5,410 |
| 2013 | — | — | 38 | #2,983 |
| 2012 | — | — | 19 | #4,982 |
| 2011 | — | — | 20 | #4,777 |
| 2010 | — | — | 23 | #4,326 |
| 2009 | — | — | 19 | #5,050 |
| 2008 | — | — | 24 | #4,225 |
| 2007 | — | — | 32 | #3,424 |
| 2006 | — | — | 28 | #3,660 |
| 2005 | — | — | 31 | #3,296 |
| 2004 | — | — | 30 | #3,265 |
| 2003 | — | — | 33 | #2,974 |
| 2002 | — | — | 29 | #3,162 |
| 2001 | — | — | 42 | #2,370 |
| 2000 | — | — | 44 | #2,243 |
| 1995 | — | — | 38 | #2,161 |
| 1990 | — | — | 55 | #1,542 |
| 1985 | — | — | 53 | #1,326 |
| 1980 | — | — | 53 | #1,284 |
| 1975 | — | — | 56 | #1,133 |
| 1970 | — | — | 62 | #1,039 |
| 1965 | — | — | 83 | #811 |
| 1960 | — | — | 75 | #884 |
| 1955 | — | — | 121 | #666 |
| 1950 | — | — | 77 | #782 |
| 1945 | — | — | 60 | #805 |
| 1940 | — | — | 58 | #826 |
| 1935 | — | — | 93 | #603 |
| 1930 | — | — | 80 | #697 |
| 1925 | — | — | 111 | #598 |
| 1920 | — | — | 96 | #648 |
| 1915 | — | — | 102 | #560 |
| 1910 | — | — | 44 | #402 |
| 1905 | — | — | 25 | #446 |
| 1900 | — | — | 32 | #399 |
| 1895 | — | — | 27 | #365 |
| 1890 | — | — | 25 | #355 |
| 1885 | — | — | 26 | #339 |
| 1880 | — | — | 31 | #303 |
Famous people named Napoleon
- Napoleon Politician · 1769–1821
- Napoleon III Politician · 1808–1873
- Napoleon II Politician · 1811–1832
- Napoleon Hill Writer · 1883–1970
- Napoleon Chagnon Anthropologist · 1938–2019
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Napoleon mean?
From French Napoléon, from Italian Napoleone, name of an early saint, of uncertain origin; possibly from the Germanic clan name Nibelung.
How popular is the name Napoleon in 2025?
Napoleon ranked #4,651 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 22 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Napoleon?
7,810 babies have been named Napoleon in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Napoleon most popular?
Napoleon peaked in 1926, when 122 newborns received the name.
Is Napoleon a boy or girl name?
Napoleon is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Napoleon rising or falling?
Napoleon is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Napoleon?
Well-known people named Napoleon include Napoleon (politician), Napoleon III (politician), Napoleon II (politician).