The first name Major
A boy’s name.
2 syllables Male Also a surname
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
Major last appeared in the official list in 2024, given to 4 boys. It peaked in 2018, with 14 births (#1,683).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Major with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Major at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 407 boys born in the United States were named Major, the 670th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2017, when 1,042 were.
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 Major
6 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Major OwensAmerican politician (1936-2013)
- Major HarrisAmerican R&B singer (1947–2012)
- Major HolleyAmerican jazz upright bassist (1924–1990)
- Major BoothCricket player of England. (1886-1916)
- Marshall TaylorAmerican racing cyclist (1878-1932)
- Big Maceo MerriweatherAmerican Chicago blues pianist and singer (1905–1953)
Questions
- How popular is the name Major?
- In 2024, 4 boys born in England and Wales were named Major, ranking 4,270th. Its peak was 2018, with 14 births.
- Is Major a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 21,749 US babies named Major since 1880 were boys.
- When was Major most popular?
- 2017 in the United States, when 1,042 babies were named Major, its highest rank at 331st.
- Is Major also a surname?
- Yes. Major is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.