Burr
A boy's name of Old Norse origin with 803 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Burr is a boy's baby name of Old Norse origin, from the Old Norse burr, meaning 'son.' In Norse mythology, Burr (or Borr) was the son of Búri and the father of Odin — making this name connect directly to the origins of the Norse gods themselves.
As a given name, Burr is most famous through Aaron Burr, the third U.S. Vice President who fatally shot Alexander Hamilton in an 1804 duel. Despite this historical association, the name carries the weight of Norse mythology and American founding-era history.
EtymologyShow more
Burr first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1880. Names present in the earliest SSA data (which begins in 1880) were typically carried by immigrants from Europe, handed down through families, or drawn from biblical and classical sources.
Its Old Norse classification suggests a path from old norse linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Burr has 77+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 26 | #4514 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 31 | #3686 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 92 | #2878 | — |
| 1940s | 101 | #2517 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 92 | #2671 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 167 | #2006 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 143 | #1624 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 27 | #1275 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 45 | #746 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 79 | #685 | — |
The Story of Burr
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1916, Burr is a name steeped in history. Boys named Burr are most likely born between 1906 and 1926.
How rare is Burr?
With 803 total births on record, Burr remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 167 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Burr by the numbers
- Would fill 17 school buses
- Meeting one Burr per day would take 2.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(77 years, 1880–1976)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 5 | #5712 |
| 1975 | 8 | #3997 |
| 1971 | 6 | #4452 |
| 1970 | 7 | #3895 |
| 1969 | 7 | #3638 |
| 1965 | 6 | #3587 |
| 1964 | 5 | #4118 |
| 1963 | 6 | #3694 |
| 1961 | 7 | #3391 |
| 1959 | 8 | #3067 |
| 1958 | 5 | #4020 |
| 1957 | 5 | #4058 |
| 1956 | 15 | #2100 |
| 1955 | 9 | #2792 |
| 1954 | 12 | #2327 |
| 1953 | 10 | #2555 |
| 1952 | 10 | #2537 |
| 1951 | 8 | #2867 |
| 1950 | 10 | #2454 |
| 1949 | 9 | #2632 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burr a boy's or girl's name?
When was Burr most popular?
How popular is the name Burr?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–1976