Unisex name · peaked 1996

Nike

Every Nike since 1953 — 314 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
00.010.010.0218801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Nike
Peak year
1996
27 babies
All-time total
314
since 1953

The story of Nike

Nike 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 1953, 314 American babies have been named Nike — about 52% boys and 48% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1996, when 27 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.

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 Nike stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Nike 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
2024 5 #17,005 7 #10,607
2023 10 #10,127 8 #9,501
2022 5 #17,072 5 #13,766
2021 7 #13,125 10 #7,991
2020 7 #10,282
2019 6 #15,090 8 #9,495
2018
2017
2016 6 #15,706
2015 5 #18,393 9 #8,516
2014 6 #11,724
2013 5 #18,530 5 #13,496
2012 6 #16,335
2011 6 #11,858
2010
2009 5 #13,907
2008
2007 6 #11,933
2006
2005 5 #12,786
2004 7 #13,796 5 #12,674
2003
2002 6 #14,907 9 #7,461
2001
2000 6 #9,964
1995 10 #5,783
1990
1985
1980
1975 5 #10,098
1970
1965
1960
1955
1950
1945
1940
1935
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Nike in 2025?

Nike 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 Nike?

314 babies have been named Nike in the United States since 1953, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Nike most popular?

Nike peaked in 1996, when 27 newborns received the name.

Is Nike a boy or girl name?

Nike is used for both: about 48% of babies named Nike have been girls and 52% boys.

Is the name Nike rising or falling?

Nike is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Nike

Compare Nike with similar names →