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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Thoreau — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Thorben|Thoren
FrenchBoy→ Stable

Thoreau

thuh-ROH · 2 syllables

Share Thoreau:
Compare with another name
Boy

Outside top 1000

Last ranked #10680 in 2021

Peak: #10680 in 2021

→ Stable

Outside top 1000

Last ranked #10680 in 2021

Peak: #10680 in 2021

5yr change
—
Birth frequency
1.9 per 1,000,000 births
Sex split
100% boy · 0% girl

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20152021

Rank #10680 · Rising since 2015

This name is given to very few babies each year — it sits outside the range shown in these charts.

Namesake Score
42
Higher than 42% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
→ Stable
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
45
Won't be common in class
Name DNA
LiterarySurnameClassicIntellectualNature-connectedAmericanUnisex-leaning-male2-syllableFrench originPhilosophicalDistinctive
Character
independent thinkingnature reverencephilosophical depthcivil disobediencesimple living
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Thoreaus

practicalindustrioussupportivemerchantintrospective
STRONG
High confidence

Thoreau is a French boy name with steady SSA rankings. Full rank detail will appear once SSA data is linked.

Trend:→ Stable
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:—
Thoreau at a Glance
Meaning:From French surname meaning 'from Thoreau,' a Norman place name. Associated with Henry David Thoreau, the American philosopher and naturalist.
Language root:Old French · Germanic roots
Peak rank:#10680 in 2021
5yr change:—
Sex usage:100% boy · 0% girl
Notable bearers

No notable bearers on record.

Similar Sound
ThoreauThorpeThorneToreauMoreauRousseau
Similar Style
Emerson◈WhitmanAlcottHawthorneBrennan◈Harrison
Works Well With
Sibling names that pair naturally with Thoreau
WaldenWilder◈Everett◈Harper◈HenryOliver
You Might Also Like
Emerson◈
English · #270
→ Stable
Whitman
English · #4174
↓ Fading
Hawthorne
English · #4103
↑↑ Surging
Brennan◈
Irish · #1054
↓ Declining
Harrison
English · #121
→ Stable
Beau
French · #69
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Name Intelligence
Thoreau · Overview
Summary

Thoreau is a French boy name with steady SSA rankings. Full rank detail will appear once SSA data is linked.

Strengths
Literary · Classic character
Thoreau carries a grounded, cool quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Domain taken
thoreau.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

Add to watchlists or your list with + Save next to the name above.

Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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