Reed
Reed: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɹiːd/
Meaning and origin of Reed
Root meaning: “to clear out”
- A unisex given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
As an English and Scottish surname, from the adjective red. * Also as an English surname, from Old English rēodan (“to clear out”), from Proto-West Germanic *reudan. * Also as an English surname, from several places in England, such as Reed, Lancashire (from Old English ra (“roe deer”) or Rede, Suffolk (see Rede). Compare Rider, Reader.
How popular is Reed?
Since 1880, 921 girls and 36,056 boys in the U.S. have been named Reed (2% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2502 in 1996. Its highest rank for boys was #318 in 2014. In 2025 it ranked #419 for boys, with 784 babies given the name.
Names similar to Reed
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname boy names
Sibling name ideas for Reed
Sister and brother names that share Reed's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Reed FAQ
What does the name Reed mean?
Reed traces back to a root meaning "to clear out". A unisex given name transferred from the surname. As an English and Scottish surname, from the adjective red. * Also as an English surname, from Old English rēodan (“to clear out”), from Proto-West Germanic *reudan. * Also as an English surname, from several places in England, such as Reed, Lancashire (from Old English ra (“roe deer”) or Rede, Suffolk (see Rede). Compare Rider, Reader.
What is the origin of the name Reed?
Reed is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Reed?
Since 1880, 921 girls and 36,056 boys in the U.S. have been named Reed (2% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2502 in 1996. Its highest rank for boys was #318 in 2014. In 2025 it ranked #419 for boys, with 784 babies given the name.
Is Reed a boy or girl name?
Reed is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 921 girls and 36,056 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.