Major

Origin: English — From the surname Major

Boy's name · #670 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Popularity over time

Major was #247 in 1889, slipped to #2653 by 1999, and has climbed back to #670 today. Roughly 22,000 boys have been named Major since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

See where Major is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 34 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Majors

Major Ritchie — English tennis player (1870–1955)
Major Owens — American politician (1936–2013)
Major Lance — American singer (1939–1994)
Major Harris — American R&B singer (1947–2012)
Major Holley — American jazz upright bassist (1924–1990)

In stories & tradition

Major Tom — Space Oddity (song)
Major Matt Mason — character
Major Disaster — Green Lantern (comics)

What Majors become

Among 44 notable people named Major:

Sports figures appear 2.13× more often than among typical names — e.g. Major Ritchie, English tennis player (1870–1955).

Similar names: Royal · Mack · Royce · Turner · Merritt · Ellis

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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