Yale
Every Yale since 1908 — 1,416 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
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.