Ralston: 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	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	96	10	–	#1,564
1920s	131	13	+36%	#1,537
1930s	81	8	-38%	#2,074
1940s	56	6	-31%	#2,506
1950s	24	2	-57%	#3,255
1960s	58	6	+142%	#2,585
1970s	35	4	-40%	#3,788
1980s	92	9	+163%	#3,765
1990s	113	11	+23%	#3,966
2000s	97	10	-14%	#6,172
2010s	107	11	+10%	#5,928
2020s (to 2025)	41	7	-36%	#8,119

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#1,564

1920s

131

+36%

#1,537

1930s

-38%

#2,074

1940s

-31%

#2,506

1950s

-57%

#3,255

1960s

+142%

#2,585

1970s

-40%

#3,788

1980s

+163%

#3,765

1990s

113

+23%

#3,966

2000s

-14%

#6,172

2010s

107

+10%

#5,928

2020s (to 2025)

-36%

#8,119

The story of Ralston

Ralston is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #10,434 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1910, 931 American babies have been named Ralston. Its peak came in 1921, when 25 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 Ralston stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Ralston?

The median living Ralston is about 30 years old; half are between 15 and 45. An estimated 600 people named Ralston are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Ralston year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	7	#10,434
2024	8	#9,669
2023	10	#8,119
2022	8	#9,641
2021	8	#9,491
2020	–	–
2019	9	#8,717
2018	13	#6,621
2017	11	#7,436
2016	12	#7,044
2015	15	#5,928
2014	9	#8,632
2013	8	#9,459
2012	9	#8,714
2011	10	#7,941
2010	11	#7,463
2009	9	#8,833
2008	13	#6,678
2007	10	#8,035
2006	7	#10,400
2005	12	#6,527
2004	8	#8,736
2003	12	#6,172
2002	11	#6,420
2001	8	#8,137
2000	7	#8,923
1995	11	#5,420
1990	10	#5,295
1985	10	#4,270
1980	7	#5,376
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	11	#2,585
1960	5	#4,468
1955	5	#4,266
1950	7	#3,255
1945	5	#3,672
1940	6	#3,386
1935	7	#3,190
1930	10	#2,747
1925	14	#2,296
1920	14	#2,315
1915	11	#2,422
1910	5	#1,790
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Ralston?

The median living Ralston is about 30 years old. Half of all living Ralstons are between 15 and 45 years old.

How many people named Ralston are alive today?

An estimated 600 people named Ralston are alive in the United States, based on 931 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Ralston in 2025?

Ralston ranked #10,434 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Ralston?

931 babies have been named Ralston in the United States since 1910, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Ralston most popular?

Ralston peaked in 1921, when 25 newborns received the name.

Is Ralston a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Ralston rising or falling?

Ralston has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Ralston

Ralston popularity over time

The story of Ralston

How old are people named Ralston?

Ralston year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Ralston