Syed
Every Syed since 1965 — 6,043 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Syed
Syed is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,221 in 2025 with 166 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1965, 6,043 American babies have been named Syed. Its peak came in 2000, when 224 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
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 Syed stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Syed 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 | — | — | 166 | #1,221 |
| 2024 | — | — | 105 | #1,629 |
| 2023 | — | — | 145 | #1,321 |
| 2022 | — | — | 141 | #1,339 |
| 2021 | — | — | 127 | #1,432 |
| 2020 | — | — | 134 | #1,339 |
| 2019 | — | — | 126 | #1,406 |
| 2018 | — | — | 137 | #1,327 |
| 2017 | — | — | 148 | #1,244 |
| 2016 | — | — | 157 | #1,207 |
| 2015 | — | — | 160 | #1,166 |
| 2014 | — | — | 139 | #1,284 |
| 2013 | — | — | 156 | #1,160 |
| 2012 | — | — | 140 | #1,264 |
| 2011 | — | — | 130 | #1,316 |
| 2010 | — | — | 147 | #1,213 |
| 2009 | — | — | 137 | #1,288 |
| 2008 | — | — | 156 | #1,164 |
| 2007 | — | — | 156 | #1,147 |
| 2006 | — | — | 141 | #1,193 |
| 2005 | — | — | 135 | #1,190 |
| 2004 | 5 | #18,487 | 141 | #1,127 |
| 2003 | — | — | 178 | #925 |
| 2002 | — | — | 168 | #958 |
| 2001 | — | — | 167 | #935 |
| 2000 | — | — | 224 | #754 |
| 1995 | — | — | 157 | #871 |
| 1990 | — | — | 90 | #1,148 |
| 1985 | — | — | 62 | #1,209 |
| 1980 | — | — | 44 | #1,446 |
| 1975 | — | — | 17 | #2,527 |
| 1970 | — | — | 9 | #3,489 |
| 1965 | — | — | 7 | #3,508 |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Syed
- Syed Ahmad Khan Social activist · 1817–1898
- Syed Kamall Politician · b. 1967
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Syed in 2025?
Syed ranked #1,221 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 166 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Syed?
6,043 babies have been named Syed in the United States since 1965, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Syed most popular?
Syed peaked in 2000, when 224 newborns received the name.
Is Syed a boy or girl name?
Syed is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Syed rising or falling?
Syed has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Syed?
Well-known people named Syed include Syed Ahmad Khan (social activist), Syed Kamall (politician).