Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1922

Socrates

Meaning Via Latin Socrates, from Ancient Greek Σωκράτης (Sōkrátēs) Gender Boy Rank 2025 Below top lists

Via Latin Socrates, from Ancient Greek Σωκράτης (Sōkrátēs).

Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Socrates
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1922
17 babies
All-time total
725
#6,291 all-time among boys
First recorded
1914
in Social Security records

Socrates popularity over time

725 babies have been named Socrates since 1914, 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
0.010.010.020.0218801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1922Boys

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 41 4 – #2,923
1920s 110 11 +168% #2,026
1930s 63 6 -43% #1,989
1940s 6 1 -90% #3,422
1950s 7 1 +17% #3,518
1960s 44 4 +529% #2,958
1970s 74 7 +68% #3,127
1980s 94 9 +27% #3,261
1990s 113 11 +20% #4,369
2000s 91 9 -19% #5,858
2010s 58 6 -36% #8,045
2020s (to 2025) 24 4 -31% #7,692

The story of Socrates

Socrates 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 1914, 725 American babies have been named Socrates. Its peak came in 1922, when 17 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1920s.

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

How old are people named Socrates?

The median living Socrates is about 32 years old; half are between 20 and 45. An estimated 500 people named Socrates are alive in the United States today.

median 32 020406080100

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

Socrates 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 – –
2023 – –
2022 11 #7,692
2021 8 #9,575
2020 5 #13,761
2019 5 #13,856
2018 8 #9,542
2017 – –
2016 – –
2015 7 #10,468
2014 10 #8,045
2013 7 #10,572
2012 8 #9,581
2011 7 #10,615
2010 6 #11,989
2009 11 #7,617
2008 11 #7,626
2007 8 #9,648
2006 7 #10,502
2005 9 #8,199
2004 12 #6,459
2003 – –
2002 9 #7,552
2001 12 #5,960
2000 12 #5,858
1995 11 #5,453
1990 13 #4,369
1985 11 #4,016
1980 6 #6,146
1975 9 #3,908
1970 7 #4,180
1965 9 #2,958
1960 – –
1955 – –
1950 – –
1945 – –
1940 6 #3,422
1935 12 #2,233
1930 14 #2,162
1925 11 #2,730
1920 6 #4,216
1915 7 #3,355
1910 – –
1905 – –
1900 – –
1895 – –
1890 – –
1885 – –
1880 – –

Famous people named Socrates

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

  1. 1 Socrates Socrates Ancient Greek philosopher (c. 470–399 BC) -470–-399 · Antiquity
  2. 2 Socrates of Constantinople Greek Christian church historian 380–440 · Antiquity

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Socrates?

The median living Socrates is about 32 years old. Half of all living Socratess are between 20 and 45 years old.

How many people named Socrates are alive today?

An estimated 500 people named Socrates are alive in the United States, based on 725 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Socrates mean?

Via Latin Socrates, from Ancient Greek Σωκράτης (Sōkrátēs).

How popular is the name Socrates in 2025?

Socrates 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 Socrates?

725 babies have been named Socrates in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Socrates most popular?

Socrates peaked in 1922, when 17 newborns received the name.

Is Socrates a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Socrates rising or falling?

Socrates is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Socrates?

Well-known people named Socrates include Socrates (philosopher), Socrates of Constantinople (historian).

Names like Socrates

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

Compare Socrates with similar names → More names starting with S →