Reed
Reed is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Red-haired or living near reeds.
Origin and history
Reed is a traditional English name derived from an Old English topographic term for someone living near reeds, or a nickname for a red-haired person. Historically used both as a surname and a given name, it offers a strong, nature-inspired, single-syllable sound. In the United States, it maintains steady popularity as a classic yet contemporary masculine name.
Popularity in the United States
36,056 babies in the United States have been named Reed since 1880. It ranks #605 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #427.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.2 %)
- TX (7.6 %)
- PA (5.6 %)
- OH (5.2 %)
- UT (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 76 |
| 1890-1900 | 137 |
| 1900-1910 | 175 |
| 1910-1920 | 790 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,227 |
| 1930-1940 | 871 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,385 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,494 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,696 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,452 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,206 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,495 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,618 |
| 2010-2019 | 9,014 |
| 2020-2029 | 4,420 |
Famous people named Reed
- Reed Diamond: Actor
- Reed Hastings: Entrepreneur, Executive
Fun facts
- The name stems either from the Old English 'read' meaning red, or 'hreod' referring to the marsh plant.
- It is part of a long tradition of English surnames transition into enduring first names.