Yale: 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	6	1	–	#1,370
1910s	143	14	+2283%	#1,302
1920s	217	22	+52%	#1,338
1930s	138	14	-36%	#1,692
1940s	140	14	+1%	#1,627
1950s	129	13	-8%	#1,597
1960s	164	16	+27%	#1,755
1970s	99	10	-40%	#2,211
1980s	115	12	+16%	#2,786
1990s	120	12	+4%	#3,139
2000s	77	8	-36%	#6,301
2010s	57	6	-26%	#8,015
2020s (to 2025)	11	2	-68%	#11,961

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

#1,370

1910s

143

+2283%

#1,302

1920s

217

+52%

#1,338

1930s

138

-36%

#1,692

1940s

140

+1%

#1,627

1950s

129

-8%

#1,597

1960s

164

+27%

#1,755

1970s

-40%

#2,211

1980s

115

+16%

#2,786

1990s

120

+4%

#3,139

2000s

-36%

#6,301

2010s

-26%

#8,015

2020s (to 2025)

-68%

#11,961

The story of Yale

Yale is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1908, 1,416 American babies have been named Yale. Its peak came in 1929, when 29 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1920s.

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

How old are people named Yale?

The median living Yale is about 49 years old; half are between 31 and 65. An estimated 800 people named Yale 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.

Yale year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	5	#14,250
2021	–	–
2020	6	#11,961
2019	–	–
2018	7	#10,713
2017	7	#10,725
2016	5	#14,117
2015	10	#8,015
2014	6	#12,050
2013	7	#10,685
2012	9	#8,839
2011	–	–
2010	6	#12,163
2009	8	#9,831
2008	7	#10,994
2007	13	#6,602
2006	5	#13,961
2005	9	#8,274
2004	7	#9,907
2003	5	#12,707
2002	6	#10,629
2001	6	#10,517
2000	11	#6,301
1995	14	#4,505
1990	11	#4,989
1985	8	#5,139
1980	9	#4,487
1975	6	#5,449
1970	18	#2,211
1965	12	#2,471
1960	16	#2,118
1955	11	#2,557
1950	11	#2,437
1945	16	#1,770
1940	15	#1,892
1935	15	#1,928
1930	20	#1,692
1925	15	#2,189
1920	19	#1,884
1915	16	#1,876
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Yale?

The median living Yale is about 49 years old. Half of all living Yales are between 31 and 65 years old.

How many people named Yale are alive today?

An estimated 800 people named Yale are alive in the United States, based on 1,416 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Yale in 2025?

Yale did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Yale?

1,416 babies have been named Yale in the United States since 1908, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Yale most popular?

Yale peaked in 1929, when 29 newborns received the name.

Is Yale a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Yale rising or falling?

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

Yale

Yale popularity over time

The story of Yale

How old are people named Yale?

Yale year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Yale