Rankin: 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	61	6	–	#2,229
1920s	66	7	+8%	#2,724
1930s	52	5	-21%	#2,338
1940s	32	3	-38%	#2,855
1950s	31	3	-3%	#3,151
1960s	16	2	-48%	#3,242
1970s	–	–	–	–
1980s	11	1	–	#6,344
1990s	11	1	0%	#8,561
2000s	6	1	-45%	#10,252
2010s	30	3	+400%	#9,478
2020s (to 2025)	24	4	+33%	#8,184

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#2,229

1920s

+8%

#2,724

1930s

-21%

#2,338

1940s

-38%

#2,855

1950s

-3%

#3,151

1960s

-48%

#3,242

1970s

–

1980s

–

#6,344

1990s

#8,561

2000s

-45%

#10,252

2010s

+400%

#9,478

2020s (to 2025)

+33%

#8,184

The story of Rankin

Rankin 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 1912, 340 American babies have been named Rankin. Its peak came in 1916, when 12 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 Rankin stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Rankin?

The median living Rankin is about 40 years old; half are between 9 and 70. An estimated 100 people named Rankin 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.

Rankin 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	10	#8,184
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	6	#11,816
2020	8	#9,360
2019	5	#13,686
2018	–	–
2017	–	–
2016	8	#9,478
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	5	#13,619
2012	–	–
2011	6	#11,933
2010	6	#11,857
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	6	#10,252
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	–	–
1985	6	#6,344
1980	–	–
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	8	#3,274
1955	8	#3,151
1950	5	#4,086
1945	6	#3,243
1940	5	#3,830
1935	11	#2,365
1930	8	#3,233
1925	7	#3,667
1920	9	#3,160
1915	9	#2,779
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Rankin?

The median living Rankin is about 40 years old. Half of all living Rankins are between 9 and 70 years old.

How many people named Rankin are alive today?

An estimated 100 people named Rankin are alive in the United States, based on 340 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Rankin mean?

A Scottish and Northern Irish surname, from a diminutive of the name Ronald.

How popular is the name Rankin in 2025?

Rankin 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 Rankin?

340 babies have been named Rankin in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Rankin most popular?

Rankin peaked in 1916, when 12 newborns received the name.

Is Rankin a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Rankin rising or falling?

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

Rankin

Rankin popularity over time

The story of Rankin

How old are people named Rankin?

Rankin year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Rankin