Lieutenant
A boy's name of French origin with 199 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Alternative letter-case form of lieutenant (when used as a title before a name)
Lieutenant is a boy's baby name of French origin, from the Old French lieu tenant, meaning 'holding the place' or 'one who holds the place of another' — a military rank denoting one who deputizes for a higher officer.
Lieutenant as a given name reflects the tradition of naming children after military ranks, titles, or aspirations — found particularly in American families with strong military connections. It is extremely rare as a first name but historically documented in SSA records.
EtymologyShow more
Lieutenant first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1912. Its appearance in the 1910s coincides with waves of immigration, cultural exchange, and the early decades of American popular culture — all of which introduced and popularized new names.
Its French classification suggests a path from french 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
Lieutenant has 27+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1912.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 13 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 24 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 49 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 27 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 50 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 36 | — |
The Story of Lieutenant
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1917, Lieutenant is a name steeped in history. Boys named Lieutenant are most likely born between 1912 and 1927.
How rare is Lieutenant?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Lieutenant is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1912, peaked in the 1920s with 50 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Lieutenant by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(27 years, 1912–1965)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 7 | #3428 |
| 1964 | 6 | #3866 |
| 1955 | 5 | #4169 |
| 1954 | 6 | #3669 |
| 1953 | 5 | #4128 |
| 1950 | 8 | #2924 |
| 1949 | 7 | #3178 |
| 1946 | 6 | #3379 |
| 1945 | 6 | #3193 |
| 1943 | 10 | #2490 |
| 1942 | 7 | #3094 |
| 1941 | 5 | #3805 |
| 1940 | 8 | #2782 |
| 1937 | 6 | #3367 |
| 1935 | 6 | #3477 |
| 1933 | 5 | #3946 |
| 1932 | 10 | #2560 |
| 1928 | 7 | #3567 |
| 1927 | 10 | #2824 |
| 1925 | 7 | #3595 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lieutenant a boy's or girl's name?
When was Lieutenant most popular?
How popular is the name Lieutenant?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1912–1965