Townsend
From town + -s- + end. From Middle English toun (“hamlet, village”) + ende (“end”), referring to a dweller at the outskirts of a village.
Every Townsend since 1914 — 882 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Townsend
Townsend is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,305 in 2025 with 36 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1914, 882 American babies have been named Townsend. Its peak came in 2025, when 41 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Townsend stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Townsend 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 | #17,068 | 36 | #3,305 |
| 2024 | — | — | 27 | #4,064 |
| 2023 | 6 | #15,031 | 23 | #4,598 |
| 2022 | — | — | 27 | #4,077 |
| 2021 | — | — | 30 | #3,728 |
| 2020 | — | — | 15 | #5,954 |
| 2019 | — | — | 27 | #3,992 |
| 2018 | — | — | 20 | #4,904 |
| 2017 | — | — | 12 | #7,061 |
| 2016 | — | — | 19 | #5,109 |
| 2015 | — | — | 18 | #5,269 |
| 2014 | — | — | 17 | #5,465 |
| 2013 | — | — | 24 | #4,172 |
| 2012 | — | — | 15 | #5,968 |
| 2011 | — | — | 21 | #4,641 |
| 2010 | — | — | 17 | #5,450 |
| 2009 | — | — | 16 | #5,779 |
| 2008 | — | — | 12 | #7,149 |
| 2007 | — | — | 14 | #6,241 |
| 2006 | — | — | 13 | #6,429 |
| 2005 | — | — | 10 | #7,596 |
| 2004 | — | — | 8 | #8,846 |
| 2003 | — | — | 8 | #8,569 |
| 2002 | — | — | 5 | #12,339 |
| 2001 | — | — | 8 | #8,262 |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | 9 | #6,362 |
| 1990 | — | — | 9 | #5,779 |
| 1985 | — | — | 8 | #5,114 |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | 7 | #3,517 |
| 1960 | — | — | 7 | #3,640 |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | 7 | #3,302 |
| 1945 | — | — | 5 | #3,743 |
| 1940 | — | — | 10 | #2,467 |
| 1935 | — | — | 6 | #3,612 |
| 1930 | — | — | 9 | #3,000 |
| 1925 | — | — | 6 | #4,156 |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | 5 | #4,340 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Townsend mean?
From town + -s- + end. From Middle English toun (“hamlet, village”) + ende (“end”), referring to a dweller at the outskirts of a village.
How popular is the name Townsend in 2025?
Townsend ranked #3,305 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 36 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Townsend?
882 babies have been named Townsend in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Townsend most popular?
Townsend peaked in 2025, when 41 newborns received the name.
Is Townsend a boy or girl name?
Townsend is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Townsend rising or falling?
Townsend is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.