Smith Boy

Popularity: #818 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: smith //smɪθ//

Origin: English; Occupational

Meaning: Occupational surname for a metal worker

Historical & Cultural Background

The name "Smith" originates from the Old English word "smitan," meaning "to strike" or "to hit." This term is related to the Proto-Germanic root "smitaną," which also conveys the idea of striking or hammering. The name was used to denote a craftsman, particularly one who worked with metal, such as a blacksmith or silversmith.

As the Anglo-Saxon culture developed, surnames began to emerge in the 11th century, and occupational names like Smith became common as identifiers for individuals based on their trade or profession. The name entered the English lexicon as a surname during this period, reflecting the importance of metalworking in medieval society.

Historically, the name Smith has been associated with various notable figures and events. In medieval England, blacksmiths were vital to the economy, providing tools, weapons, and horseshoes.

The significance of the smith's craft is echoed in literature and folklore, where blacksmiths are often depicted as figures of strength and skill. The name also appears in various historical records, including the Domesday Book of 1086, which documented landholdings and occupations in England.

Over the centuries, Smith has been borne by numerous prominent individuals, including politicians, artists, and scientists, contributing to its enduring legacy. Culturally, the name Smith carries connotations of craftsmanship, strength, and reliability.

It symbolizes the industrious nature of those who work with their hands, and it has been a common surname across English-speaking countries. The name's occupational roots have allowed it to resonate through generations, embodying the values of hard work and skill.

Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Smitty" have emerged in informal contexts, reflecting a sense of familiarity and camaraderie. Overall, the name Smith encapsulates a rich history tied to craftsmanship and societal contributions.

Fictional characters named Smith

The following list of fictional characters named Smith 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.

Smith is a fictional character from the film The Matrix. He is a relentless agent of the Matrix, tasked with eliminating threats to the system, particularly Neo.

Sibling suggestions

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

JamesJohnMichaelDavidWilliamDaniel

Similar names

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

SethSamShaneScottSimonSpencer

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Smith was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Smith has ranked as high as #2447 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in Texas, North Carolina, California, Georgia, and Florida.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Smith 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 Smith 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 Smith.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 128 120 8
2024 117 109 8
2023 119 113 6
2022 125 112 13
2021 148 142 6
2020 130 123 7
2019 159 149 10
2018 150 134 16
2017 168 154 14
2016 174 162 12
2015 167 156 11
2014 145 139 6
2013 130 122 8
2012 98 89 9
2011 82 76 6
2010 78 78 0
2009 56 47 9
2008 59 59 0
2007 62 57 5
2006 41 41 0
2005 50 45 5
2004 43 43 0
2003 24 24 0
2002 22 22 0
2001 30 30 0
2000 26 26 0
1999 35 35 0
1998 21 21 0
1997 20 20 0
1996 20 20 0
1995 21 21 0
1994 27 22 5
1993 19 19 0
1992 17 17 0
1991 14 14 0
1990 15 15 0
1989 20 20 0
1988 24 24 0
1987 20 20 0
1986 23 23 0
1985 25 19 6
1984 33 25 8
1983 26 26 0
1982 25 25 0
1981 32 26 6
1980 12 12 0
1979 13 13 0
1978 16 16 0
1977 13 13 0
1976 23 23 0
1975 10 10 0
1974 21 21 0
1973 16 16 0
1972 5 0 5
1971 7 7 0
1970 12 12 0
1969 20 20 0
1968 13 13 0
1967 14 14 0
1966 18 18 0
1965 12 12 0
1964 15 15 0
1963 18 18 0
1962 16 16 0
1961 12 12 0
1960 26 26 0
1959 13 13 0
1958 17 17 0
1957 16 16 0
1956 22 22 0
1955 20 20 0
1954 23 23 0
1953 18 18 0
1952 22 22 0
1951 27 27 0
1950 21 21 0
1949 18 18 0
1948 44 44 0
1947 35 35 0
1946 18 18 0
1945 24 24 0
1944 31 31 0
1943 19 19 0
1942 30 30 0
1941 26 26 0
1940 32 32 0
1939 43 43 0
1938 27 27 0
1937 30 30 0
1936 26 26 0
1935 45 45 0
1934 39 39 0
1933 38 38 0
1932 51 51 0
1931 39 39 0
1930 38 38 0
1929 46 46 0
1928 54 54 0
1927 42 42 0
1926 43 43 0
1925 51 51 0
1924 56 56 0
1923 53 53 0
1922 69 69 0
1921 76 76 0
1920 69 69 0
1919 58 58 0
1918 61 61 0
1917 64 64 0
1916 60 60 0
1915 60 60 0
1914 45 45 0
1913 40 40 0
1912 45 45 0
1911 18 18 0
1910 30 30 0
1909 19 19 0
1908 17 17 0
1907 19 19 0
1906 19 19 0
1905 13 13 0
1904 17 17 0
1903 15 15 0
1902 13 13 0
1901 10 10 0
1900 26 26 0
1899 14 14 0
1898 15 15 0
1897 8 8 0
1896 13 13 0
1895 16 16 0
1894 14 14 0
1893 14 14 0
1892 22 22 0
1891 12 12 0
1890 15 15 0
1889 15 15 0
1888 24 24 0
1887 18 18 0
1886 16 16 0
1885 28 28 0
1884 18 18 0
1883 13 13 0
1882 16 16 0
1881 18 18 0
1880 15 15 0

Top States for Smith (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
GA 11
15%
CA 11
15%
TX 9
13%
FL 8
11%
SC 8
11%
TN 8
11%
NY 6
8%
MI 5
7%
NC 5
7%