Braxton
Boy name · #172 in 2025 · Distinctive
How old is the name Braxton? In official American birth records, Braxton has been tracked continuously since 1885, giving it 140 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 2,131 baby boys were named Braxton, placing it at #172 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #121, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 845 boys born in 2025 was named Braxton.
Babies named Braxton per year. Source: Official national birth records.
The 140-year story
Braxton first appears in the Social Security records in 1885, when 6 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2014, when 3,364 boys were named Braxton — good for #120 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 Braxton against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Braxton in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Braxton 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 Braxton is most common
Geography matters for names, and Braxton is no exception. Adjusted for how many boys are born in each state, Braxton is most common in WV (4.1 per 1,000), MT (4 per 1,000), AR (3.7 per 1,000), HI (3.4 per 1,000), OH (3.2 per 1,000) — against a national average of about 1.5 per 1,000 boys. These are per-capita rates, so they show where Braxton is a genuine regional favorite rather than just where the most babies are born.
Names like Braxton
Statistically, parents drawn to Braxton tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Bryson, Easton, Colton, Kingston, and Boston.
BrysonEastonColtonKingstonBostonPaxtonAshtonJaxson
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Braxton | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,131 | #172 |
| 2024 | 2,176 | #170 |
| 2023 | 2,143 | #169 |
| 2022 | 2,397 | #156 |
| 2021 | 2,583 | #146 |
| 2020 | 2,785 | #131 |
| 2019 | 3,038 | #126 |
| 2018 | 3,016 | #130 |
| 2017 | 3,352 | #118 |
| 2016 | 3,315 | #125 |
| 2015 | 3,313 | #121 |
| 2014 | 3,364 | #120 |
| 2013 | 3,107 | #123 |
| 2012 | 3,018 | #125 |
| 2011 | 2,516 | #153 |
| 2010 | 2,293 | #170 |
| 2009 | 2,241 | #174 |
| 2008 | 1,940 | #202 |
| 2007 | 1,773 | #216 |
| 2006 | 1,605 | #224 |
| 2005 | 1,316 | #249 |
| 2004 | 1,581 | #220 |
| 2003 | 1,004 | #301 |
| 2002 | 837 | #328 |
| 2001 | 794 | #345 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Braxton?
In official American birth records, the name Braxton first appeared in 1885 (over 140 years ago), when 6 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Braxton a popular boy name?
Braxton ranked #172 among boys in 2025 with 2,131 babies given the name — inside the top 500: established but not ubiquitous. Ten years earlier it ranked #121.
When was the name Braxton most popular?
Braxton peaked in 2014, when 3,364 American boys received the name (ranked #120 that year). Since 2014 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Braxton?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 845 newborn American boys was named Braxton. 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.