Yates: 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	54	5	–	#2,560
1920s	77	8	+43%	#2,121
1930s	65	7	-16%	#2,562
1940s	36	4	-45%	#2,871
1950s	17	2	-53%	#3,422
1960s	10	1	-41%	#4,544
1970s	11	1	+10%	#5,451
1980s	20	2	+82%	#7,321
1990s	7	1	-65%	#7,399
2000s	45	5	+543%	#9,084
2010s	102	10	+127%	#5,782
2020s (to 2025)	73	12	+19%	#5,893

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#2,560

1920s

+43%

#2,121

1930s

-16%

#2,562

1940s

-45%

#2,871

1950s

-53%

#3,422

1960s

-41%

#4,544

1970s

+10%

#5,451

1980s

+82%

#7,321

1990s

-65%

#7,399

2000s

+543%

#9,084

2010s

102

+127%

#5,782

2020s (to 2025)

+19%

#5,893

The story of Yates

Yates is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #6,434 in 2025 with 14 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1914, 517 American babies have been named Yates. Its peak came in 1921, when 16 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 Yates stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Yates?

The median living Yates is about 14 years old; half are between 6 and 37. An estimated 300 people named Yates 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.

Yates year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	14	#6,434
2024	16	#5,893
2023	9	#8,893
2022	11	#7,744
2021	9	#8,802
2020	14	#6,280
2019	12	#7,152
2018	12	#7,115
2017	13	#6,663
2016	16	#5,782
2015	8	#9,530
2014	9	#8,755
2013	10	#8,087
2012	–	–
2011	12	#6,987
2010	10	#8,116
2009	5	#14,444
2008	–	–
2007	6	#12,312
2006	5	#13,970
2005	8	#9,084
2004	6	#11,310
2003	5	#12,715
2002	5	#12,450
2001	–	–
2000	5	#12,079
1995	–	–
1990	–	–
1985	–	–
1980	–	–
1975	6	#5,451
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	5	#4,594
1955	–	–
1950	5	#4,189
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	8	#2,949
1930	5	#4,537
1925	5	#4,853
1920	14	#2,335
1915	7	#3,389
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Yates?

The median living Yates is about 14 years old. Half of all living Yatess are between 6 and 37 years old.

How many people named Yates are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Yates are alive in the United States, based on 517 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Yates in 2025?

Yates ranked #6,434 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 14 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Yates?

517 babies have been named Yates in the United States since 1914, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Yates most popular?

Yates peaked in 1921, when 16 newborns received the name.

Is Yates a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Yates rising or falling?

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

Yates

Yates popularity over time

The story of Yates

How old are people named Yates?

Yates year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Yates