Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Byron
BoyOld English, English· “at the cattle sheds”
- Meaning
- at the cattle sheds
- Origin
- Old English, English
- Pronunciation
- BY-ruhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #981
- US babies 2025
- 233
- Best rank
- #194 (1882)
- Peak year
- 1964
Meaning and origin of Byron
Byron is an Old English and English name that means “at the cattle sheds”.
Byron comes from an English surname derived from Old English byre, "cattle shed" or "barn", so it meant someone who lived at or worked in the cowsheds. The name gained romantic glamour through George Gordon, Lord Byron, the Romantic poet whose passionate life and works such as Don Juan made him one of the most famous figures of his era. As a first name Byron has a literary, slightly brooding charm. It is easy to spell and pronounce, and it sounds classic without being common. By is a possible short form, though the full name is compact already.
Popularity over time
Byron has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #194 in 1882, and the most babies received it in 1964, when 1,284 were named Byron. In 2025, 233 babies were named Byron, and it ranked #981 nationally. That is 49% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #224 in 1920, #222 in 1950, #231 in 1980, #439 in 2000, #465 in 2010, and #981 in 2025. Of the 82,238 US boys named Byron since records began, 15% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 10,532 babies. Since 2010, 6,083 more have been named Byron.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Terence, Daren, Vince, Rob, and Lyndon.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Byron ranked highest in Mississippi, Massachusetts, and Kansas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #421 | 7 |
| Massachusetts | #476 | 10 |
| Kansas | #535 | 6 |
| Missouri | #656 | 8 |
| Kentucky | #726 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Byron is usually pronounced BY-ruhn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with B and ends in “-on”.
Middle names for Byron
A few middle names that flow with Byron: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Byron
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Lists that include Byron
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Byron mean?
Byron is an Old English and English name that means “at the cattle sheds”.
What is the origin of the name Byron?
Byron has Old English and English roots. Byron comes from an English surname derived from Old English byre, "cattle shed" or "barn", so it meant someone who lived at or worked in the cowsheds.
Is Byron a popular name?
Yes. Byron ranked #981 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Byron a boy or girl name?
Byron is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Byron?
Byron is usually pronounced BY-ruhn. 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