Thompson
Variant of Thomson, from Tom + -son, originally meaning "son of Thomas".
Every Thompson since 1882 — 2,748 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Thompson
Thompson is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,359 in 2025 with 59 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1882, 2,748 American babies have been named Thompson. Its peak came in 2018, when 76 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 Thompson stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Thompson 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 | 5 | #17,051 | 59 | #2,359 |
| 2024 | 5 | #17,474 | 43 | #2,950 |
| 2023 | — | — | 34 | #3,466 |
| 2022 | 8 | #12,149 | 51 | #2,643 |
| 2021 | — | — | 61 | #2,298 |
| 2020 | — | — | 51 | #2,542 |
| 2019 | — | — | 61 | #2,288 |
| 2018 | — | — | 76 | #1,956 |
| 2017 | 5 | #18,218 | 55 | #2,380 |
| 2016 | — | — | 51 | #2,512 |
| 2015 | — | — | 56 | #2,352 |
| 2014 | — | — | 37 | #3,084 |
| 2013 | — | — | 33 | #3,331 |
| 2012 | — | — | 36 | #3,168 |
| 2011 | — | — | 26 | #3,974 |
| 2010 | — | — | 38 | #3,066 |
| 2009 | — | — | 32 | #3,469 |
| 2008 | — | — | 31 | #3,555 |
| 2007 | — | — | 37 | #3,128 |
| 2006 | — | — | 27 | #3,772 |
| 2005 | — | — | 29 | #3,445 |
| 2004 | — | — | 38 | #2,784 |
| 2003 | — | — | 31 | #3,109 |
| 2002 | — | — | 13 | #5,694 |
| 2001 | — | — | 23 | #3,712 |
| 2000 | — | — | 29 | #3,068 |
| 1995 | — | — | 19 | #3,543 |
| 1990 | — | — | 26 | #2,622 |
| 1985 | — | — | 6 | #6,462 |
| 1980 | — | — | 16 | #2,948 |
| 1975 | — | — | 13 | #3,064 |
| 1970 | — | — | 12 | #2,878 |
| 1965 | — | — | 16 | #2,069 |
| 1960 | — | — | 14 | #2,305 |
| 1955 | — | — | 17 | #1,972 |
| 1950 | — | — | 22 | #1,612 |
| 1945 | — | — | 18 | #1,625 |
| 1940 | — | — | 19 | #1,620 |
| 1935 | — | — | 9 | #2,698 |
| 1930 | — | — | 24 | #1,530 |
| 1925 | — | — | 19 | #1,863 |
| 1920 | — | — | 29 | #1,377 |
| 1915 | — | — | 26 | #1,339 |
| 1910 | — | — | 10 | #1,111 |
| 1905 | — | — | 5 | #1,409 |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | 8 | #867 |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Thompson mean?
Variant of Thomson, from Tom + -son, originally meaning "son of Thomas".
How popular is the name Thompson in 2025?
Thompson ranked #2,359 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 59 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Thompson?
2,748 babies have been named Thompson in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Thompson most popular?
Thompson peaked in 2018, when 76 newborns received the name.
Is Thompson a boy or girl name?
Thompson is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Thompson rising or falling?
Thompson is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.