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

Freeman is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 5 recorded births.

When was Freeman most popular?

Freeman reached its peak popularity in 1918 with 229 births that year. It is currently ranked #3617 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Freeman?

Freeman is currently ranked #3617 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 10,961 babies since 1880.

Freeman

An uncommon Middle English pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsMiddle EnglishRising fast Also a pet name

#3617▲ 201in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A surname. An English surname from Middle English. A freed slave surname originating as an occupation.

Freeman is a boy's and girl's baby name of Middle English origin, an English surname meaning 'free man' — one born free rather than in serfdom, or a freed slave, carrying the fundamental human dignity of liberty.

With over 10,000 recorded U.S. births, Freeman has deep significance in American history as both a surname chosen by freed enslaved people after Emancipation and a proud given name. Actor Morgan Freeman gave it cinematic grandeur. It's a name of freedom, dignity, and American heritage.

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Popularity Over Time

Freeman was #2862 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #3617, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Freeman
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	142	#3842	▼
2010s	303	#3612	▼
2000s	352	#2963	▼
1990s	431	#2037	▼
1980s	479	#1467	▼
1970s	545	#1177	▼
1960s	720	#898	▼
1950s	1,089	#705	▼
1940s	1,275	#560	—
1930s	1,386	#488	▼
1920s	1,898	#439	▲
1910s	1,404	#399	▲
1900s	397	#336	▲
1890s	273	#359	▲
1880s	267	#337	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Freeman
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	31	#3617	+2 (6.9%)
2023	29	#3818	+1 (3.6%)
2022	28	#3919	-2 (-6.7%)
2021	30	#3674	+6 (25.0%)
2020	24	#4183	-4 (-14.3%)
2019	28	#3831	-8 (-22.2%)
2018	36	#3190	+8 (28.6%)
2017	28	#3813	-4 (-12.5%)
2016	32	#3466	+5 (18.5%)
2015	27	#3917	-8 (-22.9%)
2014	35	#3170	0
2013	35	#3147	+5 (16.7%)
2012	30	#3560	-1 (-3.2%)
2011	31	#3458	+10 (47.6%)
2010	21	#4570	-15 (-41.7%)
2009	36	#3180	+3 (9.1%)
2008	33	#3367	-3 (-8.3%)
2007	36	#3152	-2 (-5.3%)
2006	38	#2947	+6 (18.8%)
2005	32	#3189	-4 (-11.1%)

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

Freeman as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Freeman has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 1921.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1921

Peak year

Compare Freeman as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Freeman be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Freeman is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #3617. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Freeman has two lives

Freeman, the baby name

#3617boys

10,961 babies

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Freeman, the pet name

#27051pet name

1 pets

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology