Auburn
Primarily a girl's name of Latin origin with 1,304 recorded births. Also given to 723 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name.
Auburn is a girl's and boy's baby name of Latin origin (via Old French), from the medieval Latin alburnus (whitish, off-white), which shifted through Old French to become auborne, and then to refer to the reddish-brown hair color we now call auburn, meaning 'reddish-brown' or 'golden-red.'
Auburn is a color-name in the tradition of names like Scarlett, Violet, and Sienna — using the English word for a particularly beautiful shade of reddish-brown hair as a personal name. It evokes autumn leaves, warm firelight, and the rich copper tones of fall. Auburn University, with its battle cry 'War Eagle,' gives the name additional Southern American character and football-tradition associations.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Auburn is rooted in the Latin tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1920 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Auburn’s 1,304 recorded births suggest it has found a niche — possibly within a specific cultural community, region, or naming subculture within the broader American landscape.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Auburn was #4102 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #5304, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 157 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 379 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 287 | — |
| 1990s | 306 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 144 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 26 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 5 | — |
The Story of Auburn
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2015, Auburn is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Auburn are most likely born between 2005 and 2024.
How rare is Auburn?
Only about 1 in every 150,000 babies born in 2024 was named Auburn — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1920, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 379 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Auburn by the numbers
- Would fill 27 school buses
- Meeting one Auburn per day would take 3.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(49 years, 1920–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24 | #5304 |
| 2023 | 31 | #4470 |
| 2022 | 31 | #4488 |
| 2021 | 27 | #4850 |
| 2020 | 44 | #3449 |
| 2019 | 27 | #4922 |
| 2018 | 36 | #4008 |
| 2017 | 43 | #3558 |
| 2016 | 35 | #4168 |
| 2015 | 52 | #3181 |
| 2014 | 44 | #3549 |
| 2013 | 41 | #3713 |
| 2012 | 46 | #3473 |
| 2011 | 31 | #4584 |
| 2010 | 24 | #5626 |
| 2009 | 30 | #4818 |
| 2008 | 33 | #4558 |
| 2007 | 29 | #4965 |
| 2006 | 36 | #4082 |
| 2005 | 21 | #5828 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Auburn as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Auburn has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 723 births since 1890.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auburn a boy's or girl's name?
When was Auburn most popular?
How popular is the name Auburn?
Can Auburn be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1920–2024