Sanders
From the Middle English Sander, a shortened form of Alexander + suffix -s.
Every Sanders since 1880 — 2,398 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sanders
Sanders is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #6,086 in 2025 with 15 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 2,398 American babies have been named Sanders. Its peak came in 1951, when 47 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
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 Sanders stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sanders 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 | — | — | 15 | #6,086 |
| 2024 | — | — | 13 | #6,758 |
| 2023 | — | — | 20 | #5,036 |
| 2022 | — | — | 12 | #7,177 |
| 2021 | — | — | 17 | #5,517 |
| 2020 | — | — | 15 | #5,927 |
| 2019 | — | — | 9 | #8,744 |
| 2018 | — | — | 12 | #7,049 |
| 2017 | — | — | 22 | #4,568 |
| 2016 | — | — | 24 | #4,296 |
| 2015 | — | — | 12 | #7,004 |
| 2014 | — | — | 21 | #4,680 |
| 2013 | — | — | 14 | #6,186 |
| 2012 | — | — | 24 | #4,225 |
| 2011 | — | — | 14 | #6,195 |
| 2010 | — | — | 9 | #8,667 |
| 2009 | — | — | 15 | #6,033 |
| 2008 | — | — | 20 | #4,866 |
| 2007 | — | — | 15 | #5,859 |
| 2006 | — | — | 11 | #7,336 |
| 2005 | — | — | 11 | #7,020 |
| 2004 | — | — | 12 | #6,448 |
| 2003 | — | — | 10 | #7,148 |
| 2002 | — | — | 7 | #9,209 |
| 2001 | — | — | 10 | #6,848 |
| 2000 | — | — | 13 | #5,525 |
| 1995 | — | — | 17 | #3,819 |
| 1990 | — | — | 13 | #4,366 |
| 1985 | — | — | 10 | #4,288 |
| 1980 | — | — | 13 | #3,399 |
| 1975 | — | — | 12 | #3,205 |
| 1970 | — | — | 11 | #3,038 |
| 1965 | 6 | #6,380 | 18 | #1,906 |
| 1960 | — | — | 24 | #1,685 |
| 1955 | — | — | 30 | #1,415 |
| 1950 | — | — | 30 | #1,338 |
| 1945 | — | — | 30 | #1,225 |
| 1940 | — | — | 20 | #1,561 |
| 1935 | — | — | 24 | #1,419 |
| 1930 | — | — | 26 | #1,460 |
| 1925 | — | — | 21 | #1,736 |
| 1920 | — | — | 29 | #1,375 |
| 1915 | — | — | 24 | #1,403 |
| 1910 | — | — | 20 | #671 |
| 1905 | — | — | 9 | #911 |
| 1900 | — | — | 10 | #895 |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | 6 | #981 |
| 1885 | — | — | 8 | #755 |
| 1880 | — | — | 6 | #895 |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sanders mean?
From the Middle English Sander, a shortened form of Alexander + suffix -s.
How popular is the name Sanders in 2025?
Sanders ranked #6,086 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 Sanders?
2,398 babies have been named Sanders in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sanders most popular?
Sanders peaked in 1951, when 47 newborns received the name.
Is Sanders a boy or girl name?
Sanders is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sanders rising or falling?
Sanders has been roughly stable over the past decade.