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

Loyal is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 478 recorded births.

When was Loyal most popular?

Loyal reached its peak popularity in 2022 with 377 births that year. It is currently ranked #877 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Loyal?

Loyal is currently ranked #877 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 5,705 babies since 1882.

Loyal

A familiar French name with steady appeal.

Boy's name| Also girlsFrenchRising fast Also a pet name

#877▼ 138in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A surname from French.

Loyal is a boy's and girl's baby name of French origin, from the Old French loial meaning "faithful," "true," or "loyal," derived from the Latin legalis (legal, lawful). As a virtue name, it expresses the quality parents most hope to cultivate in a child.

Loyal has been on the rise as part of the modern wave of virtue-inspired names for boys, alongside True, Justice, and Noble. Singer Ciara and Russell Wilson named their son Loyal, bringing the name significant media attention in 2021 and driving it into the U.S. top 1,000.

Compare Loyal with another name

Popularity Over Time

Loyal climbed 4802 spots in the last 20 years — from #5679 to #877.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Loyal
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,533	#825	▲
2010s	584	#2536	▲
2000s	155	#6032	▲
1990s	43	#8603	▼
1980s	76	#5510	▼
1970s	97	#3675	▼
1960s	206	#1897	▼
1950s	254	#1592	▼
1940s	502	#973	▼
1930s	594	#821	▼
1920s	851	#706	▲
1910s	614	#684	▲
1900s	114	#800	▲
1890s	77	#844	▲
1880s	5	#1034	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(132 years, 1882–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Loyal
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	274	#877	-82 (-23.0%)
2023	356	#739	-21 (-5.6%)
2022	377	#700	+41 (12.2%)
2021	336	#754	+146 (76.8%)
2020	190	#1055	+84 (79.2%)
2019	106	#1578	+35 (49.3%)
2018	71	#2037	-1 (-1.4%)
2017	72	#1992	+15 (26.3%)
2016	57	#2323	-14 (-19.7%)
2015	71	#2029	+9 (14.5%)
2014	62	#2193	+18 (40.9%)
2013	44	#2692	+1 (2.3%)
2012	43	#2801	+6 (16.2%)
2011	37	#3086	+16 (76.2%)
2010	21	#4624	-7 (-25.0%)
2009	28	#3787	+7 (33.3%)
2008	21	#4642	-1 (-4.5%)
2007	22	#4451	+4 (22.2%)
2006	18	#4974	+1 (5.9%)
2005	17	#4948	+3 (21.4%)

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

Loyal as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Loyal has also been given to 478 girls in the U.S. since 1916.

#4148

Current rank

478

Total births

2021

Peak year

Compare Loyal as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Loyal be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Loyal is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #877. As a girl's name, it ranks #4148.

Loyal has two lives

Loyal, the baby name

#877boys

5,705 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1882–2024) · Methodology