Taft: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

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	130	13	–	#273
1910s	192	19	+48%	#393
1920s	74	7	-61%	#1,720
1930s	155	16	+109%	#1,544
1940s	152	15	-2%	#1,525
1950s	131	13	-14%	#1,948
1960s	126	13	-4%	#2,025
1970s	97	10	-23%	#2,359
1980s	89	9	-8%	#3,662
1990s	75	8	-16%	#4,641
2000s	93	9	+24%	#5,285
2010s	161	16	+73%	#4,600
2020s (to 2025)	69	12	-29%	#5,087

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

130

–

#273

1910s

192

+48%

#393

1920s

-61%

#1,720

1930s

155

+109%

#1,544

1940s

152

-2%

#1,525

1950s

131

-14%

#1,948

1960s

126

-4%

#2,025

1970s

-23%

#2,359

1980s

-8%

#3,662

1990s

-16%

#4,641

2000s

+24%

#5,285

2010s

161

+73%

#4,600

2020s (to 2025)

-29%

#5,087

The story of Taft

Taft is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,171 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1907, 1,544 American babies have been named Taft. Its peak came in 1908, when 62 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1900s.

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

How old are people named Taft?

The median living Taft is about 40 years old; half are between 15 and 64. An estimated 900 people named Taft are alive in the United States today.

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

Taft year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	10	#8,171
2024	8	#9,756
2023	10	#8,187
2022	7	#10,717
2021	19	#5,087
2020	15	#5,945
2019	12	#7,122
2018	20	#4,899
2017	14	#6,296
2016	22	#4,600
2015	21	#4,683
2014	15	#5,963
2013	17	#5,366
2012	12	#6,984
2011	9	#8,674
2010	19	#5,017
2009	18	#5,285
2008	9	#8,912
2007	8	#9,666
2006	5	#13,763
2005	12	#6,579
2004	–	–
2003	10	#7,180
2002	12	#6,031
2001	9	#7,436
2000	10	#6,768
1995	6	#8,750
1990	12	#4,641
1985	7	#5,696
1980	5	#7,182
1975	16	#2,627
1970	8	#3,801
1965	12	#2,459
1960	15	#2,197
1955	14	#2,213
1950	10	#2,562
1945	17	#1,687
1940	15	#1,885
1935	14	#2,020
1930	17	#1,882
1925	7	#3,703
1920	6	#4,230
1915	17	#1,774
1910	45	#393
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Taft?

The median living Taft is about 40 years old. Half of all living Tafts are between 15 and 64 years old.

How many people named Taft are alive today?

An estimated 900 people named Taft are alive in the United States, based on 1,544 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Taft in 2025?

Taft ranked #8,171 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Taft?

1,544 babies have been named Taft in the United States since 1907, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Taft most popular?

Taft peaked in 1908, when 62 newborns received the name.

Is Taft a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Taft rising or falling?

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

Taft

Taft popularity over time

The story of Taft

How old are people named Taft?

Taft year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Taft