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Name Lineage

    The first name Buster

    A boy’s name meaning “pockmark”, “boil”.

    Pronounced /ˈbʌstɚ/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Buster means “pockmark”, “boil”.

    From Austrian German Buste (“pockmark, boil”), from Latin apostema (“boil”), + -er.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 8 boys were named Buster, making it the 2,664th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2014, with 40 births (#781).

    02040 1996200020052010201520202025
    439
    babies named Buster, 1996–2025
    #2,664
    rank in 2025
    2014
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Buster with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Buster at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 12 boys born in the United States were named Buster, the 6,871st most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1918, when 246 were.

    0150300 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    8,178
    babies named Buster since 1880
    #6,871
    rank in 2025
    1918
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Famous people named Buster

    9 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Buster Douglas
      American boxer, born 1960
    • Buster Posey
      American baseball executive and former player (born 1987)
    • Buster Williams
      American musician, born 1942
    • Buster Bailey
      American musician (1902-1967)
    • Buster Brown
      American blues and R&B singer best known for his hit, "Fannie Mae" (1911–1976)
    • Buster Martin
      British marathon runner (1906-2011)
    • Buster Phelps
      American actor (1926-1983)
    • Buster Edwards
      British criminal (1931–1994)
    • Buster Mottram
      English tennis player, born 1955

    Questions

    What does the name Buster mean?
    Buster means “pockmark”, “boil”.
    How popular is the name Buster?
    In 2025, 8 boys born in England and Wales were named Buster, ranking 2,664th. Its peak was 2014, with 40 births.
    Is Buster a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 8,178 US babies named Buster since 1880 were boys.
    When was Buster most popular?
    1918 in the United States, when 246 babies were named Buster, its highest rank at 379th.
    How do you pronounce Buster?
    Buster is /ˈbʌstɚ/, 2 syllables.
    Is Buster also a surname?
    Yes. Buster is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.