Lafayette
Primarily a boy's name of French origin with 4,854 recorded births. Also given to 21 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette (1757–1834), a French aristocrat who is considered a national hero in both France and the United States for his participation in the French and American revolutions.
Lafayette is a boy's and girl's baby name of French origin, a surname from Old French meaning 'the beech tree grove' — from la (the) and fayet (beech grove). The Marquis de Lafayette, the French military officer who fought in both the American and French revolutions, made this name synonymous with liberty and Franco-American friendship. With nearly 4,900 births in U.S. records, Lafayette carries the weight of revolutionary heroism and the musical energy of the hit musical Hamilton.
EtymologyShow more
Lafayette is built from 9 letters and two syllables — a longer structure that creates presence and allows for natural nickname formation. Within the French 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 Lafayette creates its characteristic open, approachable 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
Lafayette was #5663 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #9472, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 58 | #7409 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 137 | #6576 | — |
| 2000s | 140 | #5901 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 289 | #2703 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 342 | #1830 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 401 | #1441 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 466 | #1140 | — |
| 1950s | 499 | #1066 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 479 | #977 | — |
| 1930s | 527 | #886 | — |
| 1920s | 576 | #921 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 457 | #809 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 128 | #758 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 145 | #574 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 210 | #401 | — |
The Story of Lafayette
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1921, Lafayette is a name steeped in history. Boys named Lafayette are most likely born between 1911 and 1931.
How rare is Lafayette?
Only about 1 in every 450,000 babies born in 2024 was named Lafayette — 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 576 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Lafayette by the numbers
- Would fill 101 school buses
- Meeting one Lafayette per day would take 13.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | #9472 |
| 2023 | 10 | #8026 |
| 2022 | 14 | #6343 |
| 2021 | 15 | #5912 |
| 2020 | 11 | #7293 |
| 2019 | 10 | #7966 |
| 2018 | 15 | #5934 |
| 2017 | 8 | #9351 |
| 2016 | 14 | #6210 |
| 2015 | 10 | #7814 |
| 2014 | 14 | #6178 |
| 2013 | 18 | #5087 |
| 2012 | 20 | #4801 |
| 2011 | 15 | #5839 |
| 2010 | 13 | #6576 |
| 2009 | 12 | #7064 |
| 2008 | 11 | #7501 |
| 2007 | 16 | #5578 |
| 2006 | 14 | #5971 |
| 2005 | 14 | #5760 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Lafayette as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Lafayette has also been given to 21 girls in the U.S. since 1919.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette a boy's or girl's name?
When was Lafayette most popular?
How popular is the name Lafayette?
Can Lafayette be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024