Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Floyd
BoyWelsh· “gray”
- Meaning
- gray
- Origin
- Welsh
- Pronunciation
- FLOYD
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #2,237
- US babies 2025
- 63
- Best rank
- #44 (1905)
- Peak year
- 1926
Meaning and origin of Floyd
Floyd is a Welsh name that means “gray”.
Gray is the meaning of the Welsh llwyd, source of Lloyd, and Floyd is an anglicized form of that name, often first given to describe gray hair. The spelling with an initial F reflects early English attempts to represent the Welsh ll sound. Floyd became popular as a given name in the United States in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and it has a sturdy, vintage character. The name is also familiar through the rock band Pink Floyd.
Popularity over time
Floyd 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 119 different years. Its best national rank was #44 in 1905, and the most babies received it in 1926, when 3,623 were named Floyd. In 2025, 63 babies were named Floyd, and it ranked #2,237 nationally. That is 41% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #61 in 1920, #143 in 1950, #386 in 1980, #1,040 in 2000, #1,839 in 2010, and #2,237 in 2025. Of the 154,370 US boys named Floyd since records began, 21% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 24,887 babies. Since 2010, 1,306 more have been named Floyd.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Clifford, Alvin, Rudolph, Junior, and Eugene.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Floyd ranked highest in Michigan, North Carolina, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | #1163 | 5 |
| North Carolina | #1337 | 5 |
| Texas | #1966 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Floyd is usually pronounced FLOYD, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with F and ends in “-yd”.
Middle names for Floyd
A few middle names that flow with Floyd: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Floyd
Similar names
Lloyd Boy
LOYD
“grey” · Welsh
#1,549
Boyd Boy
BOYD
“from a Scottish surname, meaning uncertain” · Scottish
#1,959
Vaughn Boy
VAWN
“little, junior” · Welsh
#1,153
Chad Boy
CHAD
“uncertain; possibly 'battle'” · Old English
#1,701
Zayd Boy
ZAYD
“growth, increase” · Arabic
#633
Wynn Unisex
WIHN
“fair, blessed; also 'joy'” · Welsh
#1,726
Mael Boy
mah-EL
“prince, chief” · Breton
#1,104
Penn Boy
PEHN
“English surname, "enclosure" or "hill"” · English
#2,706
Reece Unisex
REES
“ardor, enthusiasm” · Welsh
#460
Rhys Boy
REES
“enthusiasm, ardor” · Welsh
#412
Jones Boy
JOHNZ
“son of John” · Welsh
#811
Cecil Boy
SEE-suhl
“blind” · Latin
#1,486
Lists that include Floyd
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Floyd mean?
Floyd is a Welsh name that means “gray”.
What is the origin of the name Floyd?
Floyd has Welsh roots. Gray is the meaning of the Welsh llwyd, source of Lloyd, and Floyd is an anglicized form of that name, often first given to describe gray hair.
Is Floyd a popular name?
Not especially. Floyd ranked #2,237 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Floyd a boy or girl name?
Floyd is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Floyd?
Floyd is usually pronounced FLOYD. 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