Needham
Every Needham since 1884 — 328 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Needham
Needham 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 1884, 328 American babies have been named Needham. Its peak came in 1923, when 15 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 Needham stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Needham year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | 5 | #3,798 |
| 1935 | 5 | #4,007 |
| 1930 | 9 | #2,939 |
| 1925 | 6 | #4,055 |
| 1920 | 6 | #4,134 |
| 1915 | 7 | #3,288 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | 5 | #1,201 |
| 1890 | 10 | #654 |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Needham in 2025?
Needham 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 Needham?
328 babies have been named Needham in the United States since 1884, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Needham most popular?
Needham peaked in 1923, when 15 newborns received the name.
Is Needham a boy or girl name?
Needham is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Needham rising or falling?
Needham has been roughly stable over the past decade.