Reef
Reef is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Coral ridge, rock, or sandbar near the surface of the ocean.
Origin and history
Reef is a modern English nature name inspired by marine coral ridges. It gained traction in the late 20th and early 21st centuries alongside other coastal and eco-themed vocabulary names. In the United States, it remains a rare but steadily used choice for boys.
Popularity in the United States
1,290 babies in the United States have been named Reef since 1880. It ranks #3414 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1552.
States where it is most popular
- CA (39.9 %)
- FL (38.9 %)
- HI (19.2 %)
- TX (1.3 %)
- NC (0.63 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 30 |
| 2000-2010 | 311 |
| 2010-2019 | 573 |
| 2020-2029 | 376 |
Fun facts
- Reef belongs to the modern trend of water- and nature-inspired names like River, Ocean, and Cove.
- The name first entered U.S. birth records in the late 1990s as coastal lifestyle terms gained popularity.