Reed Boy

Popularity: #387 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: reed //riːd//

Origin: English; Old English

Meaning: English: Red; Old English: Reed (a type of plant)

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Reed has its roots in Old English, derived from the word "hreod," which means "reed" or "rush." This term referred to the tall, slender plants that grow in wetlands, symbolizing resilience and adaptability. The name likely entered the English language during the early medieval period, as the Old English language evolved into Middle English.

The transition from "hreod" to "Reed" reflects a common phonetic shift in the language, where the initial "h" sound was often dropped in later forms. Historically, the name Reed has been borne by various notable figures, including individuals in literature and politics.

One significant milestone in the name's history is its appearance in the 19th century, when it became associated with prominent families and individuals in England and America. The name has also been linked to various saints and biblical figures, although it does not have a direct biblical origin.

Its usage in the context of English-speaking cultures has been reinforced through literary works and historical texts, contributing to its endurance over the centuries. Culturally, the name Reed carries connotations of nature and strength, reflecting the characteristics of the reed plant itself, which is known for its flexibility and ability to thrive in challenging environments.

This connection to the natural world has allowed the name to resonate with various traditions and symbolic meanings throughout history. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Reedie" have emerged in informal contexts, further embedding the name within familial and social structures.

Overall, the name Reed encapsulates a blend of linguistic heritage, historical significance, and cultural associations that have contributed to its lasting presence.

Famous people named Reed

In this section, you will find notable people named Reed. 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 Reed who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Reed 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.

Reed Hastings is an entrepreneur best known for co-founding Netflix and serving as its CEO.

Reed Richards is a fictional character best known as Mr. Fantastic in Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four.

Reed Sorenson is a race car driver best known for competing in NASCAR events.

Fictional characters named Reed

The following list of fictional characters named Reed 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.

Reed Richards is a fictional character from the comic book series Fantastic Four. He is the brilliant scientist known as Mr. Fantastic, who possesses the ability to stretch his body into incredible shapes.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Reed, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

RyderReeseRonanRileyRocco

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Reed. 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.

RidgeRexRylanRonanRafeReubenRyderRocco

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Reed was first seen in the United States in 1881.

Reed has ranked as high as #610 nationally, which occurred in 2014, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Utah.

In the past 5 years the name Reed has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Reed 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 Reed was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Reed.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 784 770 14
2024 769 747 22
2023 749 725 24
2022 795 777 18
2021 767 740 27
2020 693 661 32
2019 805 777 28
2018 889 855 34
2017 882 862 20
2016 1,000 962 38
2015 1,082 1,045 37
2014 1,122 1,096 26
2013 1,057 1,032 25
2012 842 817 25
2011 843 809 34
2010 783 759 24
2009 709 687 22
2008 744 726 18
2007 632 617 15
2006 587 568 19
2005 546 530 16
2004 527 514 13
2003 493 478 15
2002 486 468 18
2001 523 501 22
2000 553 529 24
1999 580 558 22
1998 547 524 23
1997 533 504 29
1996 583 532 51
1995 578 550 28
1994 553 509 44
1993 467 437 30
1992 384 367 17
1991 282 276 6
1990 238 238 0
1989 226 226 0
1988 255 255 0
1987 246 240 6
1986 241 233 8
1985 235 230 5
1984 210 204 6
1983 212 207 5
1982 217 217 0
1981 196 196 0
1980 203 198 5
1979 147 141 6
1978 191 191 0
1977 145 145 0
1976 141 141 0
1975 129 129 0
1974 147 147 0
1973 136 136 0
1972 121 121 0
1971 129 129 0
1970 172 172 0
1969 154 154 0
1968 147 142 5
1967 148 148 0
1966 153 153 0
1965 157 157 0
1964 190 185 5
1963 166 166 0
1962 197 197 0
1961 179 179 0
1960 215 215 0
1959 197 197 0
1958 252 252 0
1957 283 283 0
1956 282 282 0
1955 270 270 0
1954 252 252 0
1953 263 263 0
1952 250 250 0
1951 241 241 0
1950 204 204 0
1949 268 268 0
1948 172 172 0
1947 160 160 0
1946 135 135 0
1945 112 112 0
1944 109 109 0
1943 111 111 0
1942 131 131 0
1941 96 96 0
1940 91 91 0
1939 73 73 0
1938 98 98 0
1937 67 67 0
1936 78 78 0
1935 85 80 5
1934 87 87 0
1933 86 86 0
1932 89 89 0
1931 108 108 0
1930 105 105 0
1929 112 112 0
1928 120 120 0
1927 109 109 0
1926 144 144 0
1925 114 114 0
1924 108 108 0
1923 119 119 0
1922 136 136 0
1921 147 142 5
1920 123 123 0
1919 104 104 0
1918 123 123 0
1917 127 127 0
1916 100 100 0
1915 101 101 0
1914 66 66 0
1913 67 67 0
1912 43 43 0
1911 29 29 0
1910 30 30 0
1909 16 16 0
1908 18 18 0
1907 18 18 0
1906 19 19 0
1905 20 20 0
1904 17 17 0
1903 21 21 0
1902 21 21 0
1901 11 11 0
1900 14 14 0
1899 9 9 0
1898 20 20 0
1897 12 12 0
1896 16 16 0
1895 19 19 0
1894 12 12 0
1893 11 11 0
1892 15 15 0
1891 10 10 0
1890 13 13 0
1889 12 12 0
1888 15 15 0
1887 5 5 0
1886 5 5 0
1885 6 6 0
1884 9 9 0
1883 7 7 0
1882 9 9 0
1881 8 8 0

Top States for Reed (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 51
7%
TX 47
7%
PA 46
6%
OH 36
5%
KY 36
5%
TN 31
4%
FL 30
4%
NC 27
4%
MI 25
3%
VA 22
3%
WI 22
3%
MN 20
3%
LA 20
3%
MO 19
3%
GA 19
3%
UT 18
3%
OK 17
2%
IL 16
2%
WA 15
2%
NY 14
2%
IN 14
2%
NJ 14
2%
NE 13
2%
IA 12
2%
OR 12
2%
KS 12
2%
WV 12
2%
MA 12
2%
MD 11
2%
AZ 11
2%
CO 11
2%
SC 10
1%
MS 9
1%
ID 8
1%
AL 8
1%
AR 7
1%
MT 5
1%
NH 5
1%