Gotham
A boy's name of Old English origin with 220 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Nickname for New York City: a major city in New York, United States.
Gotham is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, from the village of Gotham in Nottinghamshire, England — from the Old English gāt-hām meaning 'goat homestead' or 'goat village.' Washington Irving applied the nickname 'Gotham' to New York City in 1807, creating one of the most enduring city nicknames in history.
As a given name, Gotham is best known through Batman's fictional city — a dark, noir metropolis that has become one of pop culture's most vivid urban imaginaries. For Batman fans, it's a bold, unmistakable tribute.
EtymologyShow more
Gotham appeared in SSA records in 2015, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly draw from global cultures, invent new names, and blend sounds to create something entirely original. Its Old English roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 220 recorded births, Gotham has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Gotham has 9+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2015.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 36 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 184 | — |
The Story of Gotham
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2016, Gotham is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Gotham are most likely born between 2015 and 2024.
How rare is Gotham?
Only about 1 in every 514,286 babies born in 2024 was named Gotham — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2015, peaked in the 2010s with 184 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Gotham by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(9 years, 2015–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | #10207 |
| 2022 | 7 | #10156 |
| 2021 | 8 | #9122 |
| 2020 | 14 | #6077 |
| 2019 | 22 | #4527 |
| 2018 | 27 | #3922 |
| 2017 | 37 | #3147 |
| 2016 | 50 | #2530 |
| 2015 | 48 | #2578 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2015–2024