Spike
A boy's name of Norse origin with 128 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A male nickname.
Spike is a boy's baby name of Old Norse origin, from the Old Norse spika meaning 'nail' or 'spike,' suggesting something sharp, direct, and pointed. As a nickname it evokes someone with a spiky personality or perhaps spiky hair.
Spike has been used by several notable figures — filmmaker Spike Lee, TV presenter Spike Milligan, and as the name of the lovable cartoon bulldog in Tom and Jerry. It has an energetic, slightly irreverent quality that belongs to the tradition of informal nicknames elevated to proper given names.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Spike is a boy's name with several decades of recorded use (1942–2021). Its Norse 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 128 total births, Spike 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
Spike has 21+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1942.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 10 | #13790 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 17 | #12878 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 16 | #13135 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 7 | #7999 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 5 | #7986 | — |
| 1970s | 5 | #5782 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 19 | #3932 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 38 | #3394 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 11 | #3801 | — |
The Story of Spike
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1958, Spike is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Boys named Spike are most likely born between 1948 and 1968.
How rare is Spike?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Spike is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1942, peaked in the 1950s with 38 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Spike by the numbers
- Would fill 3 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(21 years, 1942–2021)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | #13808 |
| 2020 | 5 | #13771 |
| 2019 | 7 | #10645 |
| 2012 | 5 | #13933 |
| 2011 | 5 | #14055 |
| 2008 | 6 | #12343 |
| 2007 | 5 | #14098 |
| 2004 | 5 | #12964 |
| 1997 | 7 | #7999 |
| 1987 | 5 | #7986 |
| 1973 | 5 | #5782 |
| 1965 | 8 | #3216 |
| 1961 | 5 | #4581 |
| 1960 | 6 | #3999 |
| 1958 | 10 | #2794 |
| 1957 | 8 | #3223 |
| 1956 | 8 | #3179 |
| 1955 | 7 | #3470 |
| 1954 | 5 | #4303 |
| 1948 | 6 | #3620 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spike a boy's or girl's name?
When was Spike most popular?
How popular is the name Spike?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1942–2021