Zander
Boy name · #397 in 2025 · Distinctive
How old is the name Zander? In official American birth records, Zander has been tracked continuously since 1915, giving it 110 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 804 baby boys were named Zander, placing it at #397 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #249, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 2,239 boys born in 2025 was named Zander.
Babies named Zander per year. Source: Official national birth records.
The 110-year story
Zander first appears in the Social Security records in 1915, when 9 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2013, when 1,600 boys were named Zander — good for #230 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 Zander against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Zander in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Zander is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "distinctive". That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Zander is most common
Geography matters for names, and Zander is no exception. Adjusted for how many boys are born in each state, Zander is most common in WV (1.8 per 1,000), NV (1.3 per 1,000), OK (1 per 1,000), AR (1 per 1,000), IN (0.8 per 1,000) — against a national average of about 0.5 per 1,000 boys. These are per-capita rates, so they show where Zander is a genuine regional favorite rather than just where the most babies are born.
Names like Zander
Statistically, parents drawn to Zander tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Xander, Porter, Gunner, Ryder, and Zavier.
XanderPorterGunnerRyderZavierKylerJaggerTucker
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Zander | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 804 | #396 |
| 2024 | 870 | #374 |
| 2023 | 927 | #355 |
| 2022 | 1,088 | #309 |
| 2021 | 1,152 | #293 |
| 2020 | 1,195 | #280 |
| 2019 | 1,297 | #276 |
| 2018 | 1,400 | #259 |
| 2017 | 1,563 | #237 |
| 2016 | 1,394 | #260 |
| 2015 | 1,470 | #249 |
| 2014 | 1,524 | #246 |
| 2013 | 1,600 | #230 |
| 2012 | 1,471 | #246 |
| 2011 | 1,308 | #265 |
| 2010 | 1,119 | #294 |
| 2009 | 1,147 | #287 |
| 2008 | 1,120 | #297 |
| 2007 | 1,052 | #313 |
| 2006 | 1,081 | #305 |
| 2005 | 911 | #333 |
| 2004 | 1,141 | #279 |
| 2003 | 957 | #312 |
| 2002 | 420 | #533 |
| 2001 | 274 | #664 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Zander?
In official American birth records, the name Zander first appeared in 1915 (over 110 years ago), when 9 newborn boys received the name. It has been tracked in modern national records for 110 years.
Is Zander a popular boy name?
Zander ranked #397 among boys in 2025 with 804 babies given the name — inside the top 500: established but not ubiquitous. Ten years earlier it ranked #249.
When was the name Zander most popular?
Zander peaked in 2013, when 1,600 American boys received the name (ranked #230 that year). Since 2013 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Zander?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 2,239 newborn American boys was named Zander. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "distinctive".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.