Rankin
A Scottish and Northern Irish surname, from a diminutive of the name Ronald.
Every Rankin since 1912 — 340 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
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.