Roman
Boy name · #42 in 2025 · Very well-known
How old is the name Roman? In official American birth records, Roman has been tracked continuously since 1882, giving it 143 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 6,162 baby boys were named Roman, placing it at #42 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #102, so the name has been rising over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 292 boys born in 2025 was named Roman.
The 143-year story
Roman first appears in the Social Security records in 1882, when 7 boys received the name. Its all-time peak is essentially right now: 2025, with 6,162 babies and a rank of #42. Names at their peak can keep climbing — or be one trend cycle from the long slide that eventually hits most popular names. 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 Roman per year. Source: Official national birth records.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Roman against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Roman in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Roman is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "very 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 Roman is most common
Geography matters for names, and Roman is no exception. Adjusted for how many boys are born in each state, Roman is most common in RI (11 per 1,000), HI (8.6 per 1,000), AK (6.6 per 1,000), WV (6 per 1,000), ND (5.7 per 1,000) — against a national average of about 4.2 per 1,000 boys. These are per-capita rates, so they show where Roman is a genuine regional favorite rather than just where the most babies are born.
Names like Roman
Statistically, parents drawn to Roman tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Rowan, Weston, Nolan, Miles, and Waylon.
RowanWestonNolanMilesWaylonJulianBennettSilas
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Roman | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6,162 | #42 |
| 2024 | 5,502 | #52 |
| 2023 | 4,803 | #66 |
| 2022 | 4,740 | #68 |
| 2021 | 4,571 | #74 |
| 2020 | 4,491 | #77 |
| 2019 | 4,919 | #72 |
| 2018 | 4,390 | #86 |
| 2017 | 4,282 | #91 |
| 2016 | 4,222 | #98 |
| 2015 | 3,889 | #102 |
| 2014 | 3,481 | #113 |
| 2013 | 2,886 | #136 |
| 2012 | 2,577 | #159 |
| 2011 | 2,466 | #157 |
| 2010 | 1,993 | #186 |
| 2009 | 1,837 | #206 |
| 2008 | 1,933 | #205 |
| 2007 | 1,891 | #207 |
| 2006 | 1,819 | #209 |
| 2005 | 1,867 | #205 |
| 2004 | 1,398 | #238 |
| 2003 | 1,049 | #294 |
| 2002 | 1,045 | #284 |
| 2001 | 985 | #297 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Roman?
In official American birth records, the name Roman first appeared in 1882 (over 143 years ago), when 7 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Roman a popular boy name?
Roman ranked #42 among boys in 2025 with 6,162 babies given the name — firmly in the top 100, so yes, it’s a popular choice. Ten years earlier it ranked #102.
When was the name Roman most popular?
Roman peaked in 2025, when 6,162 American boys received the name (ranked #42 that year). That peak is current — the name is at or near its all-time high right now.
How rare is the name Roman?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 292 newborn American boys was named Roman. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "very well-known".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.