US Population & Name Trends: Discover Name Popularity Now!

Prof. Vincent Kling 13 May 2025

Ever wondered just how unique your name truly is? The fascinating world of name demographics in the United States reveals that while some names are ubiquitous, others are surprisingly rare, painting a vibrant picture of American identity and cultural trends.

Delving into the intricacies of the United States population and its naming conventions offers a compelling glimpse into the nation's history and evolving social fabric. Names, far from being mere labels, carry cultural significance, reflect immigration patterns, and mirror societal shifts. From the perennial popularity of names like "John" and "Mary" to the modern surge of monikers like "Liam," the story of American names is a dynamic and ever-changing narrative.

Category	Information
Name Demographics Source	U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) and U.S. Census Bureau
Common First Names	John, Michael, David, Daniel, Thomas, Matthew
Common Last Names	Smith, Johnson, Jones
Rarest Last Names	Trump (among those listed)
Data Coverage	100 years worth of SSA baby names data; US Census data
Name Usage Trends	Historically, "John" and "Mary" dominated; "William" consistently popular; "Liam" recently surged in popularity.
External Reference	U.S. Social Security Administration - Baby Names

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has meticulously tracked baby names for over a century, providing a rich dataset for analyzing trends and making estimations about the prevalence of specific names within the United States population. Supplemented by data from the US Census Bureau, this information offers valuable insights into both first name and last name distributions.

Consider the name "David," a timeless classic that resonates across generations. According to statistical analysis, approximately 1534.53 individuals out of every 100,000 Americans bear the name David. Predominantly a first name, used in 99% of instances, the SSA's baby names database estimates that around 2,939,747 people in the United States share this moniker. This figure underscores the enduring appeal and widespread usage of "David" within the American populace. The name "Michael" follows a similar pattern. It is overwhelmingly a male name, with 99.51% of Michaels being boys and only 0.49% being girls. In total, the United States has seen 4,394,136 males and 21,812 females given the name Michael, making it one of the most prevalent names in the country.

Conversely, names like "Brandon," while still relatively common, occur less frequently. The data indicates that approximately 99.53 people per 100,000 Americans are named Brandon. Like David, it is predominantly a first name, accounting for 92% of its usage. Based on the SSA's analysis, the estimated population of people named Brandon is 721,255. Similarly, the name "Jeffrey" is borne by 360.3 people per 100,000 Americans, with an estimated total population of 878,601, and it is used as a first name 99% of the time. These comparisons highlight the varying degrees of popularity and prevalence among different names within the American context.

The trends for last names provide a different perspective on name distribution. "Jones" is a prominent example, with about 443.85 people per 100,000 Americans sharing this surname. Unlike David or Brandon, "Jones" is almost exclusively a last name, used in 100% of cases. According to the US Census Bureau, the estimated population of people named Jones is 1,609,361, ranking it as the 5th most common surname in the United States. The proportion of Americans named Jones is approximately 505.17 per 100,000. This contrasts with names like "Trump," which are significantly rarer. While figures vary slightly depending on the source, WhitePages data suggests that only around 4,788 people in America share the last name Trump. Notably, individuals bearing the Trump surname represent a diverse range of professions, including educators, doctors, and machinists, underscoring the broad spectrum of American society.

Another common surname, "Johnson," is shared by approximately 637.98 people per 100,000 Americans. As with "Jones," it is almost exclusively a last name, used 100% of the time. The US Census Bureau estimates that the population of people named Johnson is 2,193,219, making it the 2nd most common surname in the United States. The proportion of Americans named Johnson is approximately 688.44 per 100,000. "Smith," the most prevalent last name in the United States, is carried by approximately 823.92 people per 100,000 Americans. Used exclusively as a last name, the estimated population of people named Smith is a staggering 2,806,195, ranking it as the most common surname in the country. The proportion of Americans named Smith is approximately 880.85 per 100,000.

Beyond prevalence, analyzing name trends reveals cultural shifts and historical influences. "John," for instance, held a dominant position among the top 10 names from the 1880s to the 1980s, reflecting its enduring popularity across generations. Similarly, "William" maintained its popularity from the 1880s through the 1970s, and experienced a resurgence in the 2000s and 2010s. On the other hand, the name "Liam" gained significant traction more recently, experiencing a surge in popularity since its introduction in the United States in 1947. Over 246,723 boys have been given the name Liam in the past 200 years, with its usage peaking in 2012, when it increased by 125.08%. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of naming conventions and their responsiveness to cultural trends and influences.

Analyzing the popularity of names like "Thomas," "Daniel," "Matthew," and "Karen" provides further context to name demographics in the US. The data indicates that approximately 629.96 people per 100,000 Americans are named Thomas. Used as a first name 72% of the time, the estimated population of people named Thomas is 1,622,900. Daniel is another common first name, borne by approximately 606.92 people per 100,000 Americans. It is used as a first name 99% of the time, with an estimated population of 1,619,016. Matthew, used as a first name 99% of the time, is borne by approximately 246.72 people per 100,000 Americans. The estimated population of people named Matthew is 1,465,960.

The name "Karen" presents an interesting case study. While it is ranked as the 24th most popular given name in the United States, with an estimated population of 1,469,388, it has also become associated with certain negative stereotypes in recent years. This highlights the complex relationship between names and social perceptions. There are approximately 460.83 people named Karen for every 100,000 Americans. The fact that this name is in the 99th percentile means that nearly 0% of all the first names are more popular, statistically. The website Many of Me leverages census data and statistics to estimate how many people share your exact first and last name. Compared with other websites, Many of Me utilizes the latest data to get the most accurate estimate: Last name data is currently based on the 2010 US Census.

Ultimately, the study of name demographics in the United States provides a fascinating lens through which to examine the nation's cultural landscape, historical trends, and social dynamics. From the ubiquitous Smiths and Johns to the rarer Trumps and Brandons, each name carries a unique story, contributing to the rich and diverse tapestry of American identity. Discovering how many people have the same name as you is an exciting and curious quest, With just your first and last name, you can quickly determine how many people in the US have the same name.

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