Lake

An uncommon Old English pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsOld EnglishRising fast Also a pet name
#1632 188in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A surname.

Lake is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from the Old English lacu meaning 'body of water' or 'stream.' As a nature name, it evokes the stillness, depth, and reflective quality of a lake — calm on the surface with profound depths below.

Lake has the serene, elemental quality of one-syllable nature names like River, Stone, and Bay. It's a name that suggests someone thoughtful and deep, who contains more than they show. Simple, natural, and carrying the full peaceable beauty of still water reflecting open sky.

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Popularity Over Time

Lake climbed 638 spots in the last 20 years — from #2270 to #1632.

02652781041900192019401960198020002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Lake
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s458
2010s620
2000s629
1990s509
1980s96
1970s64
1960s38
1950s60
1940s72
1930s91
1920s149
1910s111
1890s16

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(104 years, 18912024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Lake
YearBirthsRank
2024104#1632
202388#1820
202299#1712
202188#1798
202079#1881
201982#1841
201869#2074
201774#1949
201663#2180
201565#2143
201452#2448
201345#2647
201253#2405
201152#2426
201065#2086
200977#1878
200867#2081
200767#2061
200673#1867
200566#1934

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

Lake as a Girl's Name

Though more common for boys, Lake has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 895 births since 1893.

#4072
Current rank
895
Total births
2020
Peak year
Compare Lake as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Lake be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Lake is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1632. As a girl's name, it ranks #4072.

Lake has two lives

Lake, the baby name
#1632boys
2,913 babies
Currently viewing
Lake, the pet name
#15862pet name
3 pets
View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (18912024) · Methodology