Reef
Every Reef since 1996 — 1,353 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Reef
Reef is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,509 in 2025 with 54 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1996, 1,353 American babies have been named Reef. Its peak came in 2021, when 89 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 Reef stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Reef year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | #12,896 | 54 | #2,509 |
| 2024 | 10 | #10,103 | 53 | #2,548 |
| 2023 | 6 | #14,804 | 68 | #2,144 |
| 2022 | 7 | #13,290 | 62 | #2,314 |
| 2021 | 8 | #11,966 | 81 | #1,898 |
| 2020 | — | — | 58 | #2,343 |
| 2019 | 5 | #17,450 | 71 | #2,060 |
| 2018 | 8 | #12,259 | 53 | #2,465 |
| 2017 | — | — | 51 | #2,524 |
| 2016 | — | — | 57 | #2,329 |
| 2015 | — | — | 51 | #2,477 |
| 2014 | — | — | 54 | #2,397 |
| 2013 | 5 | #18,704 | 49 | #2,515 |
| 2012 | 7 | #14,661 | 51 | #2,476 |
| 2011 | — | — | 72 | #1,942 |
| 2010 | — | — | 64 | #2,113 |
| 2009 | — | — | 51 | #2,512 |
| 2008 | — | — | 51 | #2,498 |
| 2007 | — | — | 39 | #3,012 |
| 2006 | — | — | 47 | #2,566 |
| 2005 | — | — | 32 | #3,222 |
| 2004 | — | — | 27 | #3,521 |
| 2003 | — | — | 16 | #4,988 |
| 2002 | — | — | 24 | #3,644 |
| 2001 | — | — | 14 | #5,343 |
| 2000 | — | — | 10 | #6,717 |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Reef in 2025?
Reef ranked #2,509 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 54 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Reef?
1,353 babies have been named Reef in the United States since 1996, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Reef most popular?
Reef peaked in 2021, when 89 newborns received the name.
Is Reef a boy or girl name?
Reef is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 95% of babies with the name.
Is the name Reef rising or falling?
Reef is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.