Swayze
Primarily a girl's name of American origin with 855 recorded births. Also given to 223 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Swayze is a girl's and boy's baby name of American origin, primarily known as the surname of Patrick Swayze, the beloved American actor and dancer known for Dirty Dancing and Ghost. As a given name it honors his memory with a cool, vintage 1980s energy.
Swayze has an undeniable charisma — like its most famous bearer, it suggests someone who moves through the world with style and warmth. It is bold, retro, and completely unexpected as a given name.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Swayze is rooted in the American tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1989 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Swayze’s 855 recorded births suggest it has found a niche — possibly within a specific cultural community, region, or naming subculture within the broader American landscape.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Swayze climbed 13836 spots in the last 20 years — from #15861 to #2025.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 368 | #2509 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 471 | #3785 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 11 | #17355 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 5 | #14295 | — |
The Story of Swayze
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Swayze is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Swayze are most likely born between 2014 and 2024.
How rare is Swayze?
Only about 1 in every 37,113 babies born in 2024 was named Swayze — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1989, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 471 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Swayze by the numbers
- Would fill 18 school buses
- Meeting one Swayze per day would take 2.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(18 years, 1989–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 97 | #2025 |
| 2023 | 83 | #2256 |
| 2022 | 59 | #2886 |
| 2021 | 59 | #2884 |
| 2020 | 70 | #2496 |
| 2019 | 53 | #3078 |
| 2018 | 51 | #3197 |
| 2017 | 67 | #2630 |
| 2016 | 48 | #3371 |
| 2015 | 46 | #3472 |
| 2014 | 51 | #3222 |
| 2013 | 59 | #2900 |
| 2012 | 53 | #3162 |
| 2011 | 26 | #5344 |
| 2010 | 17 | #7476 |
| 2005 | 5 | #18848 |
| 2004 | 6 | #15861 |
| 1989 | 5 | #14295 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Swayze as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Swayze has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 223 births since 1991.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Swayze a boy's or girl's name?
When was Swayze most popular?
How popular is the name Swayze?
Can Swayze be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1989–2024