Octave: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	47	5	–	#628
1890s	33	3	-30%	#629
1900s	20	2	-39%	#1,095
1910s	94	9	+370%	#1,706
1920s	97	10	+3%	#2,560
1930s	76	8	-22%	#1,996
1940s	41	4	-46%	#3,059
1950s	15	2	-63%	#2,629
1960s	21	2	+40%	#3,912
1970s	–	–	–	–
1980s	–	–	–	–
1990s	–	–	–	–
2000s	–	–	–	–
2010s	–	–	–	–
2020s (to 2025)	6	1	–	#11,952

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

#628

1890s

-30%

#629

1900s

-39%

#1,095

1910s

+370%

#1,706

1920s

+3%

#2,560

1930s

-22%

#1,996

1940s

-46%

#3,059

1950s

-63%

#2,629

1960s

+40%

#3,912

1970s

–

1980s

–

1990s

–

2000s

–

2010s

–

2020s (to 2025)

–

#11,952

The story of Octave

Octave 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 1880, 450 American babies have been named Octave. Its peak came in 1918, when 18 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 Octave stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Octave 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	6	#11,952
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	5	#4,439
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	6	#3,366
1935	7	#3,168
1930	6	#3,887
1925	11	#2,701
1920	12	#2,560
1915	16	#1,862
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	7	#1,135
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	10	#628
1880	9	#671

Famous people named Octave

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

Octave Mirbeau French writer, art critic and journalist (1848–1917) 19th century

Octave Lapize French cyclist 1887–1917 · 19th century

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

What does the name Octave mean?

Octave is a given name. Notable people with the name include:Octave de Gaulle, French industrial designer Octave Boudouard (1872–1923), French chemist Octave Chanute (1832–1910), French-born American railway engineer and aviation

How popular is the name Octave in 2025?

Octave 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 Octave?

450 babies have been named Octave in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Octave most popular?

Octave peaked in 1918, when 18 newborns received the name.

Is Octave a boy or girl name?

Octave is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Octave rising or falling?

Octave is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Octave?

Well-known people named Octave include Octave Mirbeau (writer), Octave Lapize (cyclist).

Octave

Octave popularity over time

The story of Octave

Octave year by year

Famous people named Octave

Frequently asked questions

Names like Octave