Dad Names: Is Yours On The List?

Updated Sat Jun 14 2025

Happy Fathers’ Day! To celebrate, we’re talking all things Dad Names.

Dad Names are boy names that peaked in popularity from the 1980s through 2000. They're most likely to be found on men in their twenties and thirties, the biggest age group for new fathers.

It's a group with blurry edges. Of course there are some recent dads named Richard and Robert, Mason and Theodore, but these names are more strongly tied to different generations.

And there are some enduring classics that we can’t pin them down to any age at all — generationally neutral, you might say. Thousands of new fathers are named James and William, but so too are thousands of children and grandpas.

Do you have a Dad Name? Or are you considering one for your kid? Read on for 80+ names that peaked 25-40 years ago, putting them in Definite Dad Territory.

Today's Dad Names

All these boy names were at the height of their in popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. We're not saying you can't use them now — some are still in the Top 100 — but statistically, they're most common on young-to-middle-aged men. How many are dads you know?

To complete the picture, below are the most popular boy names of the 1980s and 1990s, and others that peaked in critical years.

Top Boy Names of the 1980s

The most popular boy names in the 1980s were mainly biblical, saintly and royal classics that could be shortened to everyman nicknames — which is why you know so many men called Matt, Chris and Joe. The top ten 1980s names for boys were:

Top Boy Names of the 1990s

The top 1990s names for boys had much in common with the 1980s, but some traditional classics were replaced by with next-generation biblical names like Jacob, as well as surname-style Tyler.

Names that peaked in 1985

In 1985, parents were loving classic biblical boy names Michael, Daniel, and Rafael, the surname style of Durell and Terell, and Antoine in various forms. Dustin Hoffman and Ryne Sandberg were at the height of their fame, and inspired namesakes. Dads born in this year are 40 now.

Names that peaked in 1990

The list for names at peak popularity this year is much longer, reflecting that the baby name pool was becoming more diverse, with a fast turnover in names rising and falling. This was a peak year for Kyle and Ryan, Hector and Salvador, and three variations of Michael and Jonathan. Dads born in this year are now turning 35.

Names that peaked in 1995

In the mid '90s, place names like Dakota and Montana were at their peak, as well as names with a Da- or De- prefix, which were popular with Black Americans. Keanu Reeves's film Speed was released the year prior, and Deion Sanders was at the top of his game in both football and baseball. Dads born in 1995 celebrate their 30th birthday this year.

Names that peaked in 2000

Popular names in the first year of the new millennium included Spanish classics like Luis and Miguel and names beginning with "key" and "jay" sounds. Jacob made history by breaking Michael's 50 year streak as the Number 1 boy name, and unisex names like Payton, Ryley, and Skylar peaked for boys as they grew in popularity for girls. Younger dads born in this year are now 25.

So are Dad Names usable today? Most still rank in the popularity charts, some even still in the Top 100. They're as familiar and comfortable as a pair of dad jeans, and in today's classrooms they'll actually stand out among all the Liams and Noahs.

But if you want a name that’s fresh, cool, and not likely to be shared with your kid’s teacher/sports coach/boss, you may want to avoid Dad Names. Wait a few decades, and they’ll be vintage and trendy again by the time your great-grandchildren are born.

About the Author

Clare Green

Clare Green has been writing for Nameberry since 2015, covering everything from names peaking right now to feminist baby names, and keeping up-to-date with international baby name rankings. Her work has featured in publications such as The Independent and HuffPost. Clare has a background in linguistics and librarianship, and recently completed an MA dissertation researching names in multilingual families. She lives in England with her husband and son. You can reach her at clare@nameberry.com