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

Woods is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 5 recorded births.

When was Woods most popular?

Woods reached its peak popularity in 2024 with 94 births that year. It is currently ranked #1759 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Woods?

Woods is currently ranked #1759 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 567 babies since 1912.

Woods

An uncommon Middle English pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsMiddle EnglishRising fast Also a pet name

#1759▲ 208in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A topographic surname from Middle English, variant of Wood. Possibly patronymic.

Woods is a boy's and girl's baby name of Middle English origin, from the English topographic surname meaning 'dweller by the woods,' from Middle English wode (wood, forest). It follows the American tradition of outdoorsy, one-word surname names.

About 567 U.S. births are recorded — making it genuinely rare. Woods is chosen by parents who love nature-adjacent names with an unpretentious, grounded feel. Golf legend Tiger Woods (Eldrick "Tiger" Woods) may inspire some parents toward the name.

Compare Woods with another name

Popularity Over Time

Woods climbed 8143 spots in the last 20 years — from #9902 to #1759.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Woods
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	366	#2141	▲
2010s	172	#7287	▲
2000s	12	#11923	▼
1910s	17	#3678	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(20 years, 1912–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Woods
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	94	#1759	+15 (19.0%)
2023	79	#1967	-9 (-10.2%)
2022	88	#1838	+24 (37.5%)
2021	64	#2221	+23 (56.1%)
2020	41	#2920	+1 (2.5%)
2019	40	#3049	+8 (25.0%)
2018	32	#3518	+11 (52.4%)
2017	21	#4738	+4 (23.5%)
2016	17	#5541	+2 (13.3%)
2015	15	#5975	-5 (-25.0%)
2014	20	#4859	+12 (150.0%)
2013	8	#9619	+3 (60.0%)
2012	5	#14134	-2 (-28.6%)
2011	7	#10730	0
2010	7	#10708	+2 (40.0%)
2006	5	#13943	-2 (-28.6%)
2004	7	#9902	+1 (16.7%)
1919	6	#4161	0
1917	6	#3973	+1 (20.0%)
1912	5	#2901	—

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

Woods as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Woods has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 2023.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

2023

Peak year

Compare Woods as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Woods be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Woods is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1759. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Woods has two lives

Woods, the baby name

#1759boys

567 babies

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1912–2024) · Methodology