Nolan
Boy name · #65 in 2025 · Uniqueness 42/100
Nolan is currently the #65 boy name in the United States — 4,846 babies received it in 2025. A decade ago it stood at #71, so the name has been rising over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 371 boys born in 2025 was named Nolan.
Babies named Nolan per year, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
The 144-year story
Nolan first appears in the Social Security records in 1881, when 5 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2015, when 5,739 boys were named Nolan — good for #71 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Nolan against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Nolan in class?
Nolan scores 42 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "distinctive" band. That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Nolan is most common
Geography matters for names, and Nolan is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Nolans were TX (439), CA (424), FL (256), PA (251), NY (240). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
Names like Nolan
Statistically, parents drawn to Nolan tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Declan, Damian, Roman, Logan, and Rowan.
DeclanDamianRomanLoganRowanAdrianJulianDylan
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Nolan | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4,846 | #65 |
| 2024 | 4,900 | #64 |
| 2023 | 5,129 | #57 |
| 2022 | 4,928 | #65 |
| 2021 | 5,354 | #60 |
| 2020 | 5,200 | #61 |
| 2019 | 5,403 | #65 |
| 2018 | 5,629 | #65 |
| 2017 | 5,400 | #67 |
| 2016 | 5,634 | #67 |
| 2015 | 5,739 | #71 |
| 2014 | 5,210 | #81 |
| 2013 | 4,745 | #86 |
| 2012 | 4,427 | #89 |
| 2011 | 4,169 | #92 |
| 2010 | 3,689 | #104 |
| 2009 | 3,437 | #122 |
| 2008 | 3,151 | #131 |
| 2007 | 3,171 | #133 |
| 2006 | 2,839 | #146 |
| 2005 | 2,719 | #149 |
| 2004 | 2,489 | #161 |
| 2003 | 2,217 | #175 |
| 2002 | 2,232 | #172 |
| 2001 | 2,093 | #180 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Nolan a popular boy name?
Nolan ranked #65 among boys in 2025 with 4,846 babies given the name — firmly in the top 100, so yes, it’s a popular choice. Ten years earlier it ranked #71.
When was the name Nolan most popular?
Nolan peaked in 2015, when 5,739 American boys received the name (ranked #71 that year). Since 2015 the name has recovered some ground.
How rare is the name Nolan?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 371 newborn American boys was named Nolan. It scores 42/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "distinctive".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.