Socrates

A boy's name of Greek origin with 725 recorded U.S. births.

Boy's nameRare nameNot ranked recently

Meaning & Origin

A male given name from Ancient Greek of mostly historical use, known after a Greek philosopher.

Socrates is a boy's baby name of Greek origin, derived from the Ancient Greek Sōkrátēs, composed of sōs (safe, whole) and kratos (power, strength), meaning approximately 'safe power' or 'unharmed strength.' It is immortalized as the name of the most influential philosopher of ancient Athens, whose Socratic method of inquiry continues to shape education and philosophy today.

As a given name in the modern United States, Socrates appears primarily in Latin American and Greek American families, where classical and philosophical names are cherished. It carries enormous intellectual weight — a name that announces aspirations from the very first introduction.

EtymologyShow more

In the American context, Socrates is a boy's name with over a century of recorded use (1914–2022). Its Greek 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.

Though no longer in the top 1,000, Socrates’s 725 recorded births mean it has left a mark. Every name carries the accumulated identity of the people who have worn it — and Socrates has decades of that history.

At a Glance

725

Total births

Since 1914

1922

Peak

17 births

1914

First recorded

109 years of data

Compare Socrates with another name

Popularity Over Time

Socrates has 81+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1914.

First appeared: 1914Peak: 1922 (17 births)

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Socrates
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	24	#10338	▼
2010s	58	#10581	▼
2000s	91	#7713	▼
1990s	113	#5428	▲
1980s	94	#4813	▲
1970s	74	#4642	▲
1960s	44	#3604	▲
1950s	7	#3518	▲
1940s	6	#3422	▼
1930s	63	#3119	▼
1920s	110	#2837	▲
1910s	41	#3572	—

The Story of Socrates

A Greatest Generation name

Peaking in 1922, Socrates is a name steeped in history. Boys named Socrates are most likely born between 1914 and 1932.

How rare is Socrates?

With 725 total births on record, Socrates remains a rare and distinctive pick.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1914, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1990s with 113 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.

Socrates by the numbers

Would fill 15 school buses
Meeting one Socrates per day would take 2 years

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(81 years, 1914–2022)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Socrates
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2022	11	#7688	+3 (37.5%)
2021	8	#9571	+3 (60.0%)
2020	5	#13756	0
2019	5	#13848	-3 (-37.5%)
2018	8	#9540	+1 (14.3%)
2015	7	#10465	-3 (-30.0%)
2014	10	#8044	+3 (42.9%)
2013	7	#10570	-1 (-12.5%)
2012	8	#9580	+1 (14.3%)
2011	7	#10614	+1 (16.7%)
2010	6	#11988	-5 (-45.5%)
2009	11	#7617	0
2008	11	#7626	+3 (37.5%)
2007	8	#9648	+1 (14.3%)
2006	7	#10499	-2 (-22.2%)
2005	9	#8199	-3 (-25.0%)
2004	12	#6460	+3 (33.3%)
2002	9	#7550	-3 (-25.0%)
2001	12	#5960	0
2000	12	#5858	-3 (-20.0%)

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Socrates is primarily a boy's name.

When was Socrates most popular?

Socrates reached its peak popularity in 1922 with 17 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Socrates?

Socrates is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 725 babies in the U.S. since 1914. Its peak was in 1922.

Explore More

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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1914–2022