NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Auburn

A nature name referring to a reddish-brown shade of color.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 3 girls.

Auburn is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Auburn popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4107, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 4 births.

This profile covers 7 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2019 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Auburn is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 7 living people in the UK are called Auburn. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Auburn ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2023, when 4 boys were registered as Auburn.
  • Auburn is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 7 living people in the UK are estimated to have Auburn as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 70.0% of Auburn registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4107

2023

Births in 2023

4

Latest year

Peak year

2023

4 births

Estimated living

7

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Auburn

In England and Wales birth records, Auburn has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 70.0% of registrations are for boys and 30.0% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

70% boys
30% girls
Boys7 (70.0%)Girls3 (30.0%)

Auburn registered for boys

  • Ranked #4,107 in 2023
  • 4 boys registered in 2023
  • Peak: 2023 (4 births)

Auburn registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,591 in 2019
  • 3 girls registered in 2019
  • Peak: 2019 (3 births)

Meaning

What does Auburn mean?

The name Auburn has its origins in Old English, derived from the word "burnan," meaning "to burn" or "to shine." It is believed to have been initially used as a descriptive word referring to the reddish-brown color of hair or complexion. This name gained popularity during the medieval period in England and the surrounding regions.

Auburn's earliest recorded use as a given name can be traced back to the 13th century. One notable historical figure bearing this name was Auburn de Vere, a knight who fought alongside King Edward I in the late 13th century during the Welsh Wars.

In the 15th century, Auburn Fortescue, an English writer and historian, gained recognition for his work chronicling the Wars of the Roses. His writings provide valuable insights into the political and social landscape of that era.

During the Renaissance period, Auburn Dudley, a renowned poet and courtier, graced the court of Queen Elizabeth I. Her poetry, imbued with vivid imagery and emotional depth, earned her widespread acclaim among her contemporaries.

In the 18th century, Auburn Wollstonecraft, a pioneering feminist and author, made significant contributions to the advancement of women's rights through her influential works, such as "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman."

Fast-forwarding to the 19th century, Auburn Nightingale, a British social reformer and nurse, gained international recognition for her tireless efforts to improve healthcare practices and establish the foundations of modern nursing.

While the name Auburn has ancient roots, its usage as a given name has remained relatively rare throughout history. However, its unique and evocative nature has ensured its enduring appeal, with individuals from various backgrounds continuing to embrace this name and its rich heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Auburn over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Auburn in England and Wales, from 2019 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Auburn, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
02356201920212023

Decades

Auburn by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Auburn was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #4107 4 1
2010s #4702 3 1

Related

Names similar to Auburn

FAQ

Auburn: questions and answers

How popular is the name Auburn in the UK right now?

In 2023, Auburn was ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Auburn most popular?

The peak year on record was 2023, with 4 babies registered as Auburn in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Auburn?

A nature name referring to a reddish-brown shade of color.

How many people are called Auburn in the UK?

A total of 7 babies have been registered as Auburn across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.