Steel
Every Steel since 1984 — 865 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Steel
Steel is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,174 in 2025 with 38 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1984, 865 American babies have been named Steel. Its peak came in 2021, when 62 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 Steel stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Steel year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 38 | #3,174 |
| 2024 | 50 | #2,666 |
| 2023 | 33 | #3,550 |
| 2022 | 48 | #2,748 |
| 2021 | 62 | #2,271 |
| 2020 | 46 | #2,723 |
| 2019 | 36 | #3,248 |
| 2018 | 41 | #2,935 |
| 2017 | 51 | #2,526 |
| 2016 | 52 | #2,471 |
| 2015 | 33 | #3,421 |
| 2014 | 35 | #3,212 |
| 2013 | 25 | #4,044 |
| 2012 | 33 | #3,357 |
| 2011 | 27 | #3,879 |
| 2010 | 22 | #4,503 |
| 2009 | 28 | #3,813 |
| 2008 | 13 | #6,708 |
| 2007 | 12 | #7,018 |
| 2006 | 16 | #5,485 |
| 2005 | 12 | #6,573 |
| 2004 | 23 | #3,983 |
| 2003 | 14 | #5,505 |
| 2002 | 17 | #4,674 |
| 2001 | 15 | #5,099 |
| 2000 | 12 | #5,862 |
| 1995 | 10 | #5,859 |
| 1990 | 9 | #5,750 |
| 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 Steel in 2025?
Steel ranked #3,174 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 38 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Steel?
865 babies have been named Steel in the United States since 1984, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Steel most popular?
Steel peaked in 2021, when 62 newborns received the name.
Is Steel a boy or girl name?
Steel is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Steel rising or falling?
Steel is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.