Ramsey
Ramsey is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Wild garlic island or ram's island.
Origin and history
Ramsey is an English surname and place name derived from Old English words meaning wild garlic island or ram's island. It has been used as a masculine given name for centuries, though it remains relatively uncommon. In the United States, it offers a distinct, traditional surname-as-first-name alternative.
Popularity in the United States
6,602 babies in the United States have been named Ramsey since 1880. It ranks #1491 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1309.
States where it is most popular
- TX (27 %)
- CA (26.7 %)
- NY (7.4 %)
- FL (7.2 %)
- IL (5.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 7 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 84 |
| 1920-1930 | 122 |
| 1930-1940 | 101 |
| 1940-1950 | 127 |
| 1950-1960 | 205 |
| 1960-1970 | 319 |
| 1970-1980 | 639 |
| 1980-1990 | 978 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,077 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,080 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,216 |
| 2020-2029 | 647 |
Famous people named Ramsey
- Ramsey Lewis: Pianist, Composer
- Ramsey Clark: Lawyer, U.S. Attorney General
Nicknames
Ram
Fun facts
- The name originates from places in Huntingdonshire and Essex, England, named for low-lying land near water.
- Like many English surname-derived given names, Ramsey grew in usage alongside names like Parker and Landry.