Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Blake
BoyEnglish, Old English· “black or pale”
- Meaning
- black or pale
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- BLAYK
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #316
- US babies 2025
- 1,080
- Best rank
- #71 (2012)
- Peak year
- 2012
Meaning and origin of Blake
Blake is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “black or pale”.
Blake comes from an English surname with an unusual double meaning. It may derive from the Old English blaec, meaning black or dark, or from blac, meaning pale or shining, and the two words look almost identical in medieval writing. Either way it probably began as a nickname for someone's hair or complexion. The poet and painter William Blake made the surname famous. As a first name Blake is used for both boys and girls, though mostly for boys in the United States. It is short, crisp and confident, and needs no nickname.
Popularity over time
Blake first appears in US Social Security records in 1883. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 94 different years, starting in 1883. Its best national rank was #71 in 2012, the same year it reached its highest count of 6,047 babies. In 2025, 1,080 babies were named Blake, and it ranked #316 nationally. That is 74% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #977 in 1920, #595 in 1950, #237 in 1980, #80 in 2000, #87 in 2010, and #316 in 2025. Of the 186,558 US boys named Blake since records began, 27% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 45,873 babies. Since 2010, 50,742 more have been named Blake.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Bentley, Ayden, Dominic, Jace, and Colton.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Blake ranked highest in Vermont, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | #106 | 5 |
| Wisconsin | #130 | 47 |
| Michigan | #179 | 57 |
| West Virginia | #201 | 9 |
| Montana | #203 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 81% of US babies named Blake over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Blake is usually pronounced BLAYK, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with B and ends in “-ke”.
Middle names for Blake
A few middle names that flow with Blake: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Blake
Similar names
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Lists that include Blake
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Blake mean?
Blake is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “black or pale”.
What is the origin of the name Blake?
Blake has English and Old English roots. Blake comes from an English surname with an unusual double meaning.
Is Blake a popular name?
Yes. Blake ranked #316 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Blake a boy or girl name?
Blake is mainly a boy's name. About 81% of US babies named Blake over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Blake?
Blake is usually pronounced BLAYK. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings