Thorn: 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	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–
1950s	5	1	–	#4,461
1960s	5	1	0%	#4,581
1970s	–	–	–	–
1980s	39	4	–	#3,333
1990s	98	10	+151%	#4,205
2000s	62	6	-37%	#7,055
2010s	61	6	-2%	#8,738
2020s (to 2025)	43	7	+17%	#8,189

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

1920s

–

1930s

–

1940s

–

1950s

–

#4,461

1960s

#4,581

1970s

–

1980s

–

#3,333

1990s

+151%

#4,205

2000s

-37%

#7,055

2010s

-2%

#8,738

2020s (to 2025)

+17%

#8,189

The story of Thorn

Thorn is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,189 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1958, 313 American babies have been named Thorn. Its peak came in 1988, when 16 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1980s.

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

How old are people named Thorn?

The median living Thorn is about 21 years old; half are between 10 and 33. An estimated 300 people named Thorn 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.

Thorn 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	#8,189
2024	5	#14,042
2023	8	#9,655
2022	5	#14,124
2021	7	#10,689
2020	8	#9,473
2019	8	#9,651
2018	8	#9,575
2017	7	#10,661
2016	9	#8,738
2015	7	#10,519
2014	6	#11,963
2013	5	#13,863
2012	6	#12,139
2011	5	#14,144
2010	–	–
2009	8	#9,770
2008	6	#12,396
2007	10	#8,105
2006	6	#11,919
2005	11	#7,055
2004	10	#7,471
2003	6	#10,751
2002	–	–
2001	–	–
2000	5	#11,972
1995	10	#5,880
1990	9	#5,769
1985	5	#7,494
1980	–	–
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Thorn?

The median living Thorn is about 21 years old. Half of all living Thorns are between 10 and 33 years old.

How many people named Thorn are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Thorn are alive in the United States, based on 313 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Thorn in 2025?

Thorn ranked #8,189 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 Thorn?

313 babies have been named Thorn in the United States since 1958, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Thorn most popular?

Thorn peaked in 1988, when 16 newborns received the name.

Is Thorn a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Thorn rising or falling?

Thorn is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Thorn

Thorn popularity over time

The story of Thorn

How old are people named Thorn?

Thorn year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Thorn