Boston
Boy name · English · Scandinavian
Meaningfrom Boston · English
- US rank
- #620
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #536 in 2012
451 babies were named Boston in the US in 2025. It has dropped 26 places in five years.
Found on lists
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US births per million boys, 1880–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Boston you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 3,788 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Boston, 451 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Boston would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryBoston has been in use since at least 1880, the first year US birth records were kept. That's 145 years of Bostons, and counting.
- Best yearIts best year was 2012, when it reached #536.
- Then vs nowBoston is 6.2× more common today than it was in 2000. In 2000 it was given to about 1 in 23,641 baby boys; in 2025, about 1 in 3,788.
- TrendBoston has slipped 26 places over the last five years and now sits at #620. Good news if you want a familiar name that fewer kids will share.
- Where it's lovedBoston is most popular in Utah, where it ranks #115, followed by South Dakota (#221) and North Dakota (#226). It's in the top 1,000 in 29 states.
- Boy or girlBoston is given to both boys and girls: 89% of the 505 babies named Boston in 2025 were boys. That makes it one of the names that truly works for either.
- MeaningIn English, Boston means “from Boston”. Our records link it to English and Scandinavian roots.
About the name Boston
Boston is a boy name of English and Scandinavian origin meaning “from Boston”. It has 6 letters and 2 syllables, starting with B and ending in “-ton”. US birth records list Boston for boys from 1880 to 2025, in 103 of those 146 years. Its best year was 2012, when it ranked #536 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #620, with 451 babies.
Origin:English namesScandinavian names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 13 | 74,571 boys |
| 1890s | 11 | 87,951 boys |
| 1900s | 22 | 45,455 boys |
| 1910s | 16 | 64,020 boys |
| 1920s | 11 | 92,507 boys |
| 1930s | 6.8 | 145,985 boys |
| 1940s | 5.4 | 186,220 boys |
| 1950s | 1.7 | 598,802 boys |
| 1960s | 1.1 | 892,857 boys |
| 1970s | 1.0 | 1,010,101 boys |
| 1980s | 5.9 | 168,634 boys |
| 1990s | 26 | 39,063 boys |
| 2000s | 130 | 7,720 boys |
| 2010s | 238 | 4,198 boys |
| 2020s | 262 | 3,816 boys |
More English boy names
- Boy name: Oliver · olive tree
- Boy name: Henry · ruler of the home
- Unisex name: James · supplanter
- Boy name: William · resolute protector
- Boy name: Benjamin · son of the right hand
- Boy name: Jack · God is gracious
- Unisex name: Hudson · son of Hudde
- Unisex name: Julian · of the Julius family
Questions about the name Boston
What does the name Boston mean?
Boston means “from Boston” in English.
What is the origin of the name Boston?
Boston has English, Scandinavian roots in our records. Other English names include Oliver, Henry, James.
Is Boston a boy or girl name?
Boston is a boy name, though a few girls get it too.
How popular is the name Boston?
Boston ranked #620 for US boys in 2025, given to 451 babies. Its best year was 2012 (#536).