Boston
Boston: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ΛbΙstΙn/ Β· /ΛbΙstΙn/
Meaning and origin of Boston
- A male given name transferred from the place name or surname.
Etymology
The US city is named after the English town (from which several prominent colonists had come), which itself is sometimes said to be named as a contraction of Botolph's town or Botolph's stone (the name Botolph itself coming from Old English Botwulf, from boda + wulf). However, this is uncertain.
How popular is Boston?
Since 1880, 1,043 girls and 10,901 boys in the U.S. have been named Boston (9% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2690 in 2014. Its highest rank for boys was #536 in 2012. In 2025 it ranked #620 for boys, with 505 babies given the name.
More Surname boy names
Sibling name ideas for Boston
Sister and brother names that share Boston's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Boston FAQ
What does the name Boston mean?
A male given name transferred from the place name or surname. The US city is named after the English town (from which several prominent colonists had come), which itself is sometimes said to be named as a contraction of Botolph's town or Botolph's stone (the name Botolph itself coming from Old English Botwulf, from boda + wulf). However, this is uncertain.
What is the origin of the name Boston?
Boston is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Boston?
Since 1880, 1,043 girls and 10,901 boys in the U.S. have been named Boston (9% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2690 in 2014. Its highest rank for boys was #536 in 2012. In 2025 it ranked #620 for boys, with 505 babies given the name.
Is Boston a boy or girl name?
Boston is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 1,043 girls and 10,901 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880β2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.