Thunder
A boy's name of Old English origin with 542 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
The 13th sura (chapter) of the Qur'an.
Thunder is a boy's baby name, an English word name evoking the powerful sound of storms, from Old English þunor, connected to the Norse god Thor. In many Indigenous American traditions, thunder is a sacred force associated with power, cleansing, and divine presence.
Thunder is boldly chosen by parents who want an elemental name charged with raw power — the kind of name that announces itself like the phenomenon it references, carrying the awe-inspiring force of the natural world in a single syllable.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Thunder is a boy's name with several decades of recorded use (1975–2024). Its Old English 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.
Today, Thunder is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #7185), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Thunder was #5768 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #7185, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 99 | #5281 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 162 | #6016 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 133 | #6282 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 118 | #5714 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 16 | #5940 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 14 | #5316 | — |
The Story of Thunder
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2018, Thunder is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Thunder are most likely born between 2008 and 2024.
How rare is Thunder?
Only about 1 in every 300,000 babies born in 2024 was named Thunder — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1975, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 162 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Thunder by the numbers
- Would fill 11 school buses
- Meeting one Thunder per day would take 1.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(39 years, 1975–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 | #7185 |
| 2023 | 19 | #5224 |
| 2022 | 28 | #3975 |
| 2021 | 24 | #4349 |
| 2020 | 16 | #5673 |
| 2019 | 15 | #6067 |
| 2018 | 30 | #3693 |
| 2017 | 20 | #4917 |
| 2016 | 10 | #8090 |
| 2015 | 17 | #5486 |
| 2014 | 18 | #5237 |
| 2013 | 14 | #6206 |
| 2012 | 11 | #7500 |
| 2011 | 12 | #6962 |
| 2010 | 15 | #6004 |
| 2009 | 10 | #8245 |
| 2008 | 10 | #8245 |
| 2007 | 12 | #7036 |
| 2006 | 12 | #6868 |
| 2005 | 12 | #6590 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thunder a boy's or girl's name?
When was Thunder most popular?
How popular is the name Thunder?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1975–2024