Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Blake is an Old English name meaning 'dark' or 'fair'. It evolved from Old English forms to become a popular modern given name. The name carries traits of strength and creativity, with no biblical references. Blake has been in use since the Middle Ages and gained traction as a first name in the 19th century.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/bleɪk/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Blake is derived from the Old English word 'blæc', meaning 'black' or 'dark'. It may also stem from 'blāc', which means 'pale' or 'white'.
Meaning
dark, fair
Language Evolution
Blæc (Old English), Blake (Middle English), Blake (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Blake has been used as a surname since the Middle Ages and gained popularity as a given name during the 19th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Blakely, Blakeley, Blakeford
Modern Popularity & Image
The name Blake is perceived as modern and strong. It has gained popularity in the 21st century, often associated with artistic and creative traits.
Famous People
William Blake (poet and artist), Blake Shelton (country music singer), Blake Lively (actress)
📊 Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,450 peak births in 2012
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (4 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 4 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1095th of 7545 | 647 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1142nd of 6773 | 648 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 441st of 7552 | 5,447 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 346th of 10718 | 8,606 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 95th of 16616 | 56,150 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 84th of 24088 | 80,622 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 141st of 23106 | 33,274 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 7881st of 12526 | 35 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3287th of 19264 | 328 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1229th of 27321 | 2,080 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1252nd of 35406 | 2,859 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 285th of 30306 | 13,722 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
83.05% 1176th/1416 |
77.23% 1065th/1379 |
55.71% 1318th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
73.67% 1139th/1546 |
78.86% 1227th/1556 |
64.26% 1512th/2353 |
54.75% 847th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
17.83% 397th/2227 |
21.52% 523rd/2430 |
18.72% 534th/2853 |
11.82% 328th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
9.30% 273rd/2937 |
13.21% 460th/3483 |
9.66% 340th/3518 |
7.52% 304th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
2.14% 79th/3685 |
4.34% 194th/4475 |
1.50% 78th/5194 |
1.82% 115th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
1.20% 55th/4582 |
2.32% 120th/5164 |
1.15% 84th/7313 |
1.41% 105th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
2.74% 109th/3984 |
2.63% 118th/4487 |
2.48% 169th/6822 |
2.63% 165th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
72.35% 2520th/3483 |
100.00% 3518th/3518 |
81.80% 3308th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
30.26% 1115th/3685 |
32.36% 1448th/4475 |
21.91% 1138th/5194 |
23.44% 1481st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
25.58% 1172nd/4582 |
21.71% 1121st/5164 |
16.71% 1222nd/7313 |
21.36% 1594th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
5.95% 237th/3984 |
5.79% 260th/4487 |
5.06% 345th/6822 |
4.19% 263rd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Utah across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. From 2020-2022, usage has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for female in Northeast, falling for male in South, too falling for female in South, falling for male in West, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been falling for male in MidWest, too falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, falling for male in South, too falling for female in South, falling for male in West, too falling for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1095th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1142nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 441st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 346th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 95th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 84th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 141st out of 23106 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7881st out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3287th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1229th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1252nd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 285th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.