How Many People Are Named West?
Complete statistics for the name West: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
West is a very rare name for boys, with only 2,378 people bearing it in the US today, making up just 1 in 138,748 Americans. It's a genuinely modern name, with 46% of those named West being under 30 years old.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Traditionally, life-path number 4 symbolizes stability and practicality.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 51All 3,537 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 2024Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 West Through the Generations
West stands out as a name that's gaining traction among younger parents. With its peak birth year in 2024, it's clear that this name is resonating with new generations. The average age of someone named West is 51, indicating a relatively young demographic compared to many traditional names. Among the 2,378 living individuals named West, 1,643 are under 30, 500 are between 30 and 60, and 1,394 are over 60, showing a strong presence among both older and younger generations.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing West's Modern American coinage roots
📄 About the Name West
How Many People Have the Name West?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 189,360 people in the United States currently share the name West. That works out to roughly 1 in every 1,750 Americans, placing it in the Uncommon category.
Is West a Common or Rare Name?
West is classified as Uncommon. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name West Mean?
West means "direction, westward" and comes from Modern American coinage origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 4.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of West in SSA data, approximately 99% are male and 1% are female.
When Was West Most Popular?
The name West reached peak popularity in 2024, with 151 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named West?
Approximately 189,360 people named West live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 189,360. That works out to roughly 1 in 1,750 Americans.
Is West a rare name?
West is classified as Uncommon in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 1,750 Americans has this name.
What does the name West mean?
West means "direction, westward" and comes from Modern American coinage origins.
Is West more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 99% of people named West are male and 1% are female.
When was West most popular?
West peaked in 2024 with 151 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.