Locke Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LOK //lɒk//
Origin: English; Scottish
Meaning: English: from the brook; Scottish: a small lake
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Locke has its roots in Old English, derived from the word "loca," which means "enclosure" or "a place of shelter." This term evolved through various forms, including Middle English "lok" and eventually became a surname in the form of "Locke." The transition into a given name occurred later, influenced by the surname's established presence in England. The name is often associated with the geographical features of the landscape, particularly in reference to a lock or enclosure, which may have been used to denote a person who lived near such a feature.
Historically, the name Locke is notably linked to the 17th-century philosopher John Locke, whose works on political theory and epistemology significantly influenced modern Western thought. His writings, particularly "Two Treatises of Government" (1689) and "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding" (1690), have left a lasting legacy in philosophy and political science.
The prominence of John Locke in intellectual circles during the Enlightenment period helped cement the name's association with ideas of liberty, individual rights, and rational thought. In addition to its philosophical connections, the name Locke has cultural resonance in literature and the arts.
The surname has appeared in various literary works, often symbolizing themes of knowledge, governance, and the human condition. The name's enduring presence in English-speaking cultures can also be attributed to its strong historical associations and the intellectual legacy of figures like John Locke.
While diminutive forms such as "Locky" may exist, the name Locke itself has maintained a distinct identity throughout its history, reflecting both its linguistic origins and its cultural significance.
Famous people named Locke
In this section, you will find notable people named Locke. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Locke who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Locke who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Locke Lord is a law firm best known for providing legal services in various sectors including corporate law, litigation, and intellectual property.
Fictional characters named Locke
The following list of fictional characters named Locke is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Locke Lamora is a fictional character from the novel series Gentlemen Bastard by Scott Lynch. He is a skilled thief and con artist known for his cleverness and charm.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Locke, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Locke. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Locke was first seen in the United States in 1916.
Locke has ranked as high as #1349 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Utah, Indiana, and Missouri.
In the past 5 years the name Locke has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Locke is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Locke was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Locke (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 8 | |
| TX | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Locke.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 55 |
| 2023 | 65 |
| 2022 | 60 |
| 2021 | 46 |
| 2020 | 66 |
| 2019 | 57 |
| 2018 | 57 |
| 2017 | 60 |
| 2016 | 74 |
| 2015 | 46 |
| 2014 | 67 |
| 2013 | 36 |
| 2012 | 30 |
| 2011 | 39 |
| 2010 | 34 |
| 2009 | 28 |
| 2008 | 19 |
| 2007 | 14 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 1999 | 6 |
| 1998 | 5 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1969 | 6 |
| 1963 | 5 |
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1952 | 6 |
| 1948 | 9 |
| 1942 | 7 |
| 1930 | 5 |
| 1924 | 6 |
| 1921 | 6 |
| 1916 | 5 |