Lum
A boy's name of Old English origin with 493 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
An English surname transferred from the place name.
Lum is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, an English surname transferred from a place name meaning 'pool' or 'lake,' from Middle English lum. As a given name it has a quiet, rural American character.
Lum was used occasionally as a given name in the American South and Midwest during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where short surnames were commonly given as first names. It gained some recognition through the radio comedy Lum and Abner (1931–1954), one of early radio's most beloved programs.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Lum is a boy's name with over a century of recorded use (1880–1961). Its Old English roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 493 total births, Lum exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Lum has 57+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 | #4432 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 22 | #3895 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 36 | #3156 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 56 | #3034 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 92 | #2807 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 56 | #2747 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 50 | #1070 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 71 | #855 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 105 | #652 | — |
The Story of Lum
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1884, Lum is a name steeped in history. Boys named Lum are most likely born between 1880 and 1894.
How rare is Lum?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Lum is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, peaked in the 1880s with 105 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Lum by the numbers
- Would fill 10 school buses
- Meeting one Lum per day would take 1.4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(57 years, 1880–1961)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 5 | #4432 |
| 1958 | 6 | #3778 |
| 1955 | 5 | #4190 |
| 1952 | 5 | #4069 |
| 1950 | 6 | #3544 |
| 1949 | 7 | #3193 |
| 1947 | 11 | #2454 |
| 1946 | 7 | #3074 |
| 1944 | 5 | #3729 |
| 1940 | 6 | #3331 |
| 1939 | 6 | #3346 |
| 1937 | 9 | #2608 |
| 1936 | 5 | #3861 |
| 1933 | 6 | #3504 |
| 1932 | 11 | #2408 |
| 1931 | 9 | #2794 |
| 1930 | 10 | #2715 |
| 1928 | 12 | #2476 |
| 1927 | 8 | #3332 |
| 1926 | 5 | #4574 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lum a boy's or girl's name?
When was Lum most popular?
How popular is the name Lum?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–1961