Buster
Primarily a boy's name of American origin with 8,161 recorded births. Also given to 5 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Buster is a boy's and girl's baby name of American origin, from the 19th-century American slang term — possibly related to 'busting' (breaking), used as a general affectionate term for a vigorous young boy or man. It was popularized as a given name by silent film comedian Buster Keaton.
Buster has the irrepressible energy of a name that refuses to take itself seriously. It's the name of a dog in Toy Story and Arrested Development and countless real American men who wore it with a grin.
EtymologyShow more
Buster is built from 6 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the American naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Buster creates its characteristic active, energetic quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Buster climbed 544 spots in the last 20 years — from #7043 to #6499.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 64 | #7033 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 131 | #6470 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 99 | #7577 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 141 | #4489 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 179 | #2895 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 257 | #1865 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 355 | #1359 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 694 | #899 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 812 | #716 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 1,103 | #566 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 1,822 | #451 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 1,793 | #337 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 467 | #329 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 141 | #561 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 103 | #638 | — |
The Story of Buster
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1918, Buster is a name steeped in history. Boys named Buster are most likely born between 1908 and 1928.
How rare is Buster?
Only about 1 in every 276,923 babies born in 2024 was named Buster — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 1,822 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Buster by the numbers
- Would fill 170 school buses
- Meeting one Buster per day would take 22.4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | #6499 |
| 2023 | 12 | #6953 |
| 2022 | 21 | #4730 |
| 2021 | 7 | #9878 |
| 2020 | 11 | #7107 |
| 2019 | 12 | #6841 |
| 2018 | 10 | #7708 |
| 2017 | 13 | #6376 |
| 2016 | 13 | #6416 |
| 2015 | 17 | #5331 |
| 2014 | 18 | #5092 |
| 2013 | 12 | #6660 |
| 2012 | 11 | #7140 |
| 2011 | 14 | #5990 |
| 2010 | 11 | #7147 |
| 2009 | 8 | #9102 |
| 2008 | 11 | #7271 |
| 2007 | 13 | #6319 |
| 2006 | 6 | #10857 |
| 2005 | 14 | #5610 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Buster as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Buster has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 1918.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buster a boy's or girl's name?
When was Buster most popular?
How popular is the name Buster?
Can Buster be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024