Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 2024

Red

Meaning Spelling variant of Reed Gender Boy Rank 2025 #6,075

Spelling variant of Reed.

Rank 2025
#6,075
among boys · ↓680 vs 2024
Babies in 2025
15
named Red
How common
1 in 113,872
boys born in 2025
Peak year
2024
18 babies
All-time total
396
#9,072 all-time among boys
First recorded
1888
in Social Security records

Red popularity over time

396 babies have been named Red since 1888, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1890Boys

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 5 1 – #1,152
1890s 6 1 +20% #975
1900s 12 1 +100% #1,220
1910s 79 8 +558% #1,942
1920s 93 9 +18% #2,066
1930s 23 2 -75% #3,306
1940s – – – –
1950s 10 1 – #4,092
1960s 5 1 -50% #4,496
1970s – – – –
1980s – – – –
1990s – – – –
2000s 16 2 – #11,912
2010s 64 6 +300% #7,445
2020s (to 2025) 83 14 +116% #5,395

The story of Red

Red is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #6,075 in 2025 with 15 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1888, 396 American babies have been named Red. Its peak came in 2024, when 18 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2020s.

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

How old are people named Red?

The median living Red is about 6 years old; half are between 2 and 11. An estimated 200 people named Red are alive in the United States today.

median 6 020406080100

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

Red year by year

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

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 15 #6,075
2024 18 #5,395
2023 16 #5,866
2022 16 #5,812
2021 9 #8,682
2020 9 #8,580
2019 10 #8,080
2018 10 #8,031
2017 10 #8,008
2016 11 #7,499
2015 7 #10,385
2014 11 #7,445
2013 5 #13,634
2012 – –
2011 – –
2010 – –
2009 6 #12,148
2008 – –
2007 5 #13,947
2006 – –
2005 – –
2004 – –
2003 – –
2002 – –
2001 5 #11,912
2000 – –
1995 – –
1990 – –
1985 – –
1980 – –
1975 – –
1970 – –
1965 – –
1960 – –
1955 – –
1950 5 #4,092
1945 – –
1940 – –
1935 – –
1930 – –
1925 16 #2,066
1920 12 #2,576
1915 15 #1,948
1910 – –
1905 – –
1900 – –
1895 – –
1890 6 #975
1885 – –
1880 – –

Famous people named Red

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

  1. 1 Red Skelton Red Skelton American comedian (1913–1997) Contemporary
  2. 2 Red Buttons Red Buttons American comedian and actor (1919–2006) Contemporary
  3. 3 Red Auerbach Red Auerbach American basketball coach and executive (1917–2006) Contemporary
  4. 4 Red Cloud Red Cloud Leader of the Oglala Lakota (1822–1909) 19th century
  5. 5 Red Grange Red Grange American football player (1903–1991) Contemporary
  6. 6 Red Garland Red Garland American modern jazz pianist (1923–1984) Contemporary
  7. 7 Red Kelly Red Kelly Canadian ice hockey player and coach (1927–2019) Contemporary
  8. 8 Red Mitchell Red Mitchell American jazz musician and poet (1927–1992) Contemporary
  9. 9 Red Amick American racecar driver 1929–1995 · Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Red?

The median living Red is about 6 years old. Half of all living Reds are between 2 and 11 years old.

How many people named Red are alive today?

An estimated 200 people named Red are alive in the United States, based on 396 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Red mean?

Spelling variant of Reed.

How popular is the name Red in 2025?

Red ranked #6,075 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 15 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Red?

396 babies have been named Red in the United States since 1888, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Red most popular?

Red peaked in 2024, when 18 newborns received the name.

Is Red a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Red rising or falling?

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

Who are famous people named Red?

Well-known people named Red include Red Skelton (presenter), Red Buttons (actor), Red Auerbach (basketball player).

Names like Red

Names that sound and feel close to Red: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Red with similar names → More names starting with R →