Boy · 84th of 24,088
Blake
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
204,479
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2012
Peak Popularity Year
6,450
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Blake stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
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
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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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
Compare 4 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |