Burke
Boy name · French · German · Old French
Meaningfortress · English
- US rank
- #2,641
- Syllables
- 1
- Peak
- #781 in 1881
49 babies were named Burke in the US in 2025. It has dropped 528 places in five years.
Found on lists
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US births per million boys, 1881–2025
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 Burke you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 34,843 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Burke, 49 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Burke would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryBurke first shows up in US birth records in 1881, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 144 years since.
- Best yearIt was far more popular in 1881, when it ranked #781. Today it's #2,641, so it could be due a comeback.
- TrendBurke has slipped 528 places over the last five years and now sits at #2,641. Good news if you want a familiar name that fewer kids will share.
- Where it's lovedBurke is most popular in Minnesota, where it ranks #807. It's in the top 1,000 in 1 state.
- MeaningIn English, Burke means “fortress”. Our records link it to French, German and Old French roots.
About the name Burke
Burke is a boy name of French, German and Old French origin meaning “fortress”. It has 5 letters and 1 syllable, starting with B and ending in “-rke”. US birth records list Burke for boys from 1881 to 2025, in 118 of those 145 years. Its best year was 1881, when it ranked #781 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #2,641, with 49 babies.
Origin:French namesGerman namesOld French names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 12 | 80,357 boys |
| 1900s | 4.0 | 250,627 boys |
| 1910s | 22 | 44,623 boys |
| 1920s | 23 | 43,178 boys |
| 1930s | 19 | 53,821 boys |
| 1940s | 15 | 67,295 boys |
| 1950s | 15 | 68,776 boys |
| 1960s | 23 | 44,287 boys |
| 1970s | 26 | 38,212 boys |
| 1980s | 15 | 65,402 boys |
| 1990s | 14 | 69,061 boys |
| 2000s | 30 | 33,625 boys |
| 2010s | 34 | 29,516 boys |
| 2020s | 32 | 31,612 boys |
More French boy names
- Boy name: Sebastian · venerable
- Boy name: Leo · lion
- Boy name: Daniel · God is my judge
- Unisex name: Gabriel · God is my strength
- Unisex name: Wyatt · brave in war
- Boy name: Charles · free man
- Unisex name: Beau · handsome
- Boy name: Robert · bright fame
Questions about the name Burke
What does the name Burke mean?
Burke means “fortress” in English.
What is the origin of the name Burke?
Burke has French, German, Old French roots in our records. Other French names include Sebastian, Leo, Daniel.
Is Burke a boy or girl name?
Burke is a boy name.
How popular is the name Burke?
Burke ranked #2,641 for US boys in 2025, given to 49 babies. Its best year was 1881 (#781).