Early
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 3,979 recorded births. Also given to 373 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Early is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, derived from the surname Early, related to Earl, from the Old English eorl, meaning 'nobleman, warrior.' It was also possibly used in reference to someone born early or associated with the dawn.
Early was used as a given name primarily in the American South in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It has a straightforward, unpretentious American character — the kind of name that was chosen simply because it sounded right and felt natural.
EtymologyShow more
Early 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 English classification suggests a path from old english 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
Early has 127+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 15 | #10283 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 26 | #9183 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 45 | #10584 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 44 | #6406 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 90 | #4829 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 147 | #2875 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 209 | #1925 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 396 | #1219 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 518 | #930 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 516 | #888 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 774 | #745 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 587 | #658 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 244 | #455 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 221 | #412 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 147 | #490 | — |
The Story of Early
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1927, Early is a name steeped in history. Boys named Early are most likely born between 1917 and 1937.
How rare is Early?
With 3,979 total births on record, Early 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 774 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Early by the numbers
- Would fill 83 school buses
- Meeting one Early per day would take 10.9 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(127 years, 1880–2022)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 10 | #7917 |
| 2021 | 5 | #12649 |
| 2019 | 7 | #10025 |
| 2016 | 6 | #11100 |
| 2015 | 13 | #6425 |
| 2009 | 8 | #9219 |
| 2008 | 5 | #13084 |
| 2007 | 6 | #11325 |
| 2004 | 5 | #11867 |
| 2003 | 5 | #11385 |
| 2002 | 5 | #11177 |
| 2000 | 11 | #6029 |
| 1996 | 5 | #9409 |
| 1995 | 7 | #7225 |
| 1992 | 8 | #6297 |
| 1991 | 11 | #4860 |
| 1990 | 13 | #4240 |
| 1989 | 8 | #5791 |
| 1988 | 8 | #5338 |
| 1987 | 8 | #5097 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Early as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Early has also been given to 373 girls in the U.S. since 1891.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Early a boy's or girl's name?
When was Early most popular?
How popular is the name Early?
Can Early be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2022