Polk
A boy's name of Germanic origin with 80 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Polk is a boy's baby name of Germanic origin, primarily known as an American presidential surname — James K. Polk was the 11th President of the United States. The surname derives from the German Polke or Polk, possibly related to the name Paul from the Latin 'small, humble.'
As a given name, Polk carries the straightforward American dignity of a presidential surname used as a first name. It is the kind of strong, one-syllable name with deep American historical associations that parents choose to honor family heritage or national history.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Polk is a boy's name with several decades of recorded use (1887–1954). Its Germanic 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 80 total births, Polk 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
Polk has 14+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1887.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 29 | — |
| 1910s | 29 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 12 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 5 | — |
The Story of Polk
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1917, Polk is a name steeped in history. Boys named Polk are most likely born between 1907 and 1927.
How rare is Polk?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Polk is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1887, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1910s with 29 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Polk by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(14 years, 1887–1954)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1954 | 5 | #4233 |
| 1928 | 5 | #4598 |
| 1927 | 5 | #4662 |
| 1925 | 8 | #3329 |
| 1923 | 5 | #4745 |
| 1921 | 6 | #4222 |
| 1919 | 6 | #4058 |
| 1918 | 5 | #4656 |
| 1917 | 8 | #3146 |
| 1916 | 5 | #4358 |
| 1915 | 5 | #4270 |
| 1892 | 5 | #1214 |
| 1890 | 7 | #861 |
| 1887 | 5 | #1034 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Polk a boy's or girl's name?
When was Polk most popular?
How popular is the name Polk?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1887–1954