Jackson
Boy name · #36 in 2025 · Well-known
How old is the name Jackson? In official American birth records, Jackson has been tracked continuously since 1880, giving it 145 years of documented American history.
Jackson is currently the #36 boy name in the United States — 6,582 babies received it in 2025. A decade ago it stood at #17, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 273 boys born in 2025 was named Jackson.
The 145-year story
Jackson first appears in the Social Security records in 1880, when 46 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2013, when 12,610 boys were named Jackson — good for #16 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.
Babies named Jackson per year. Source: Official national birth records.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Jackson against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Jackson in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Jackson is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "well-known". A low score means broad familiarity: teachers will spell it right, and your child may share it with a classmate. For many families that's a feature, not a bug.
Where Jackson is most common
Geography matters for names, and Jackson is no exception. Adjusted for how many boys are born in each state, Jackson is most common in WY (12 per 1,000), VT (12 per 1,000), NH (10 per 1,000), WV (8.4 per 1,000), AK (7.9 per 1,000) — against a national average of about 4.5 per 1,000 boys. These are per-capita rates, so they show where Jackson is a genuine regional favorite rather than just where the most babies are born.
Names like Jackson
Statistically, parents drawn to Jackson tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Mason, Grayson, Carson, Julian, and Harrison.
MasonGraysonCarsonJulianHarrisonJamesonJaydenColton
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Jackson | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6,582 | #36 |
| 2024 | 6,899 | #35 |
| 2023 | 7,334 | #28 |
| 2022 | 8,120 | #23 |
| 2021 | 9,287 | #14 |
| 2020 | 9,138 | #17 |
| 2019 | 10,176 | #17 |
| 2018 | 10,424 | #17 |
| 2017 | 10,469 | #20 |
| 2016 | 11,315 | #17 |
| 2015 | 12,299 | #17 |
| 2014 | 12,242 | #18 |
| 2013 | 12,610 | #16 |
| 2012 | 12,498 | #21 |
| 2011 | 12,408 | #23 |
| 2010 | 11,823 | #25 |
| 2009 | 12,123 | #27 |
| 2008 | 11,641 | #32 |
| 2007 | 11,666 | #33 |
| 2006 | 10,896 | #35 |
| 2005 | 9,580 | #44 |
| 2004 | 8,977 | #48 |
| 2003 | 8,713 | #52 |
| 2002 | 8,153 | #50 |
| 2001 | 6,836 | #60 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Jackson?
In official American birth records, the name Jackson first appeared in 1880 (over 145 years ago), when 46 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Jackson a popular boy name?
Jackson ranked #36 among boys in 2025 with 6,582 babies given the name — firmly in the top 100, so yes, it’s a popular choice. Ten years earlier it ranked #17.
When was the name Jackson most popular?
Jackson peaked in 2013, when 12,610 American boys received the name (ranked #16 that year). Since 2013 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Jackson?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 273 newborn American boys was named Jackson. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "well-known".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.