The first name Butler
A boy’s name from English.
2 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
English origin
* (English surname): From Middle English Butler. * (Anglicized surname): From French Boutilier, Boutillier, Bouthillier. * (placename): From the surname
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Butler at birth, 1880–2025
In 1996, 6 boys born in the United States were named Butler, the 8,085th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1919, when 31 were.
987
babies named Butler since 1880
#8,085
rank in 1996
1919
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 Butler
4 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Butler LampsonAmerican computer scientist (born 1943)
- Stephen LeacockCanadian writer and economist (1869–1944)
- Wild Bill HickokAmerican folk hero and lawman (1837–1876)
- Pierce M. B. YoungConfederate Army general (1836–1896)
More English boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Butler mean?
- * (English surname): From Middle English Butler. * (Anglicized surname): From French Boutilier, Boutillier, Bouthillier. * (placename): From the surname
- What is the origin of the name Butler?
- * (English surname): From Middle English Butler. * (Anglicized surname): From French Boutilier, Boutillier, Bouthillier. * (placename): From the surname
- Is Butler a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 987 US babies named Butler since 1880 were boys.
- When was Butler most popular?
- 1919 in the United States, when 31 babies were named Butler, its highest rank at 1,266th.
- Is Butler also a surname?
- Yes. Butler is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.