Burke

Primarily a boy's name of Old French origin with 4,067 recorded births. Also given to 70 girls.

Boy's nameAlso girl's#3218 in 2024Declining

Meaning & Origin

A topographical surname from Anglo-Norman for someone who lived in a fortified place.

Burke is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old French origin, from the Anglo-Norman topographic surname for someone who lived in a fortified town, from the Old French burg. Edmund Burke, the 18th-century political philosopher who shaped modern conservatism, is among its most distinguished bearers.

EtymologyShow more

Burke is built from 5 letters and one syllable — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Old French naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.

The interplay of consonants and vowels in Burke creates its characteristic crisp, punchy quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.

At a Glance

4,067

Total births

Since 1881

2013

Peak

78 births

1881

First recorded

144 years of data

Compare Burke with another name

Popularity Over Time

Burke was #2426 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #3218, but its charm endures.

First appeared: 1881Peak: 2013 (78 births)Current: #3218

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Burke
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	277	#2512	▼
2010s	637	#2161	▲
2000s	594	#2060	▲
1990s	281	#2785	—
1980s	281	#2109	▼
1970s	433	#1374	▲
1960s	427	#1230	▲
1950s	296	#1441	▲
1940s	219	#1555	▲
1930s	196	#1596	▼
1920s	255	#1511	▲
1910s	153	#1549	▲
1900s	6	#1183	▼
1880s	12	#833	—

The Story of Burke

A Gen Alpha name

Peaking in 2013, Burke is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Burke are most likely born between 2003 and 2023.

How rare is Burke?

Only about 1 in every 97,297 babies born in 2024 was named Burke — a truly uncommon choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1881, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 637 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.

Burke by the numbers

Would fill 85 school buses
Meeting one Burke per day would take 11.1 years

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(117 years, 1881–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Burke
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	37	#3218	-15 (-28.8%)
2023	52	#2544	+1 (2.0%)
2022	51	#2620	-20 (-28.2%)
2021	71	#2063	+5 (7.6%)
2020	66	#2116	-3 (-4.3%)
2019	69	#2088	+14 (25.5%)
2018	55	#2395	+6 (12.2%)
2017	49	#2572	-9 (-15.5%)
2016	58	#2281	0
2015	58	#2278	-14 (-19.4%)
2014	72	#1981	-6 (-7.7%)
2013	78	#1831	+14 (21.9%)
2012	64	#2107	-7 (-9.9%)
2011	71	#1950	+8 (12.7%)
2010	63	#2122	+4 (6.8%)
2009	59	#2235	-7 (-10.6%)
2008	66	#2090	+3 (4.8%)
2007	63	#2142	+1 (1.6%)
2006	62	#2106	-12 (-16.2%)
2005	74	#1777	+28 (60.9%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Burke as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Burke has also been given to 70 girls in the U.S. since 1999.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

2017

Peak year

Compare Burke as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burke a boy's or girl's name?

Burke is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 70 recorded births.

When was Burke most popular?

Burke reached its peak popularity in 2013 with 78 births that year. It is currently ranked #3218 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Burke?

Burke is currently ranked #3218 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 4,067 babies since 1881.

Can Burke be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Burke is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #3218. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Explore More

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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1881–2024