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

Ransom is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 10 recorded births.

When was Ransom most popular?

Ransom reached its peak popularity in 2022 with 111 births that year. It is currently ranked #1668 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Ransom?

Ransom is currently ranked #1668 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 4,761 babies since 1880.

Ransom

An uncommon Old English pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsOld EnglishDeclining Also a pet name

#1668▼ 23in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A surname.

Ransom is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, derived from an English surname meaning 'son of Rand' (a short form of names beginning with the element rand, meaning 'shield' or 'shield-rim' in Old Norse). As a given name, Ransom carries a rugged, unexpected edge.

Ransom has been borne by Ransom Riggs, author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, and appears in C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy as protagonist Elwin Ransom. Nearly 4,800 U.S. births are recorded.

Compare Ransom with another name

Popularity Over Time

Ransom climbed 1272 spots in the last 20 years — from #2940 to #1668.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Ransom
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	521	#1629	▼
2010s	885	#1754	▲
2000s	455	#2595	▲
1990s	310	#2598	▲
1980s	217	#2573	▲
1970s	147	#2844	▼
1960s	200	#1870	▼
1950s	274	#1519	▼
1940s	312	#1271	—
1930s	312	#1249	▼
1920s	423	#1098	▲
1910s	376	#900	▲
1900s	100	#835	▼
1890s	114	#683	—
1880s	115	#611	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(144 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Ransom
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	101	#1668	-4 (-3.8%)
2023	105	#1645	-6 (-5.4%)
2022	111	#1594	+9 (8.8%)
2021	102	#1642	0
2020	102	#1597	+28 (37.8%)
2019	74	#1993	-4 (-5.1%)
2018	78	#1914	-22 (-22.0%)
2017	100	#1609	-10 (-9.1%)
2016	110	#1530	+7 (6.8%)
2015	103	#1576	+10 (10.8%)
2014	93	#1664	-3 (-3.1%)
2013	96	#1609	+18 (23.1%)
2012	78	#1875	+8 (11.4%)
2011	70	#1983	-13 (-15.7%)
2010	83	#1791	+16 (23.9%)
2009	67	#2067	+12 (21.8%)
2008	55	#2370	-5 (-8.3%)
2007	60	#2231	+4 (7.1%)
2006	56	#2274	+5 (9.8%)
2005	51	#2321	+16 (45.7%)

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

Ransom as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Ransom has also been given to 10 girls in the U.S. since 2013.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

2013

Peak year

Compare Ransom as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Ransom be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Ransom is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1668. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Ransom has two lives

Ransom, the baby name

#1668boys

4,761 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology