Thelonious: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#7,144

among boys · ↓1,273 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Thelonious

How common

1 in 142,340

boys born in 2025

Peak year

2017

23 babies

All-time total

467

#8,213 all-time among boys

First recorded

1960

in Social Security records

Thelonious popularity over time

467 babies have been named Thelonious since 1960, 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

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	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–
1960s	37	4	–	#2,767
1970s	24	2	-35%	#3,936
1980s	14	1	-42%	#6,179
1990s	36	4	+157%	#6,260
2000s	90	9	+150%	#5,528
2010s	170	17	+89%	#4,448
2020s (to 2025)	96	16	-6%	#4,481

The story of Thelonious

Thelonious is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,144 in 2025 with 12 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1960, 467 American babies have been named Thelonious. Its peak came in 2017, when 23 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2010s.

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

How old are people named Thelonious?

The median living Thelonious is about 13 years old; half are between 7 and 24. An estimated 500 people named Thelonious 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.

Thelonious year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	12	#7,144
2024	16	#5,871
2023	12	#7,255
2022	17	#5,609
2021	23	#4,481
2020	16	#5,672
2019	14	#6,374
2018	20	#4,903
2017	23	#4,448
2016	20	#4,923
2015	21	#4,687
2014	16	#5,694
2013	17	#5,376
2012	15	#5,962
2011	9	#8,686
2010	15	#6,004
2009	17	#5,528
2008	7	#10,921
2007	7	#10,786
2006	8	#9,488
2005	6	#11,326
2004	7	#9,833
2003	11	#6,676
2002	8	#8,369
2001	11	#6,403
2000	8	#8,131
1995	–	–
1990	5	#9,364
1985	–	–
1980	–	–
1975	5	#6,253
1970	5	#5,372
1965	10	#2,767
1960	5	#4,550
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Thelonious

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

1 Thelonious Monk American jazz pianist and composer (1917–1982) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Thelonious?

The median living Thelonious is about 13 years old. Half of all living Theloniouss are between 7 and 24 years old.

How many people named Thelonious are alive today?

An estimated 500 people named Thelonious are alive in the United States, based on 467 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Thelonious in 2025?

Thelonious ranked #7,144 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 12 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Thelonious?

467 babies have been named Thelonious in the United States since 1960, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Thelonious most popular?

Thelonious peaked in 2017, when 23 newborns received the name.

Is Thelonious a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Thelonious rising or falling?

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

Who are famous people named Thelonious?

Well-known people named Thelonious include Thelonious Monk (musician).

Names like Thelonious

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

Compare Thelonious with similar names → More names starting with T →