NameCensus.

UK boy's name

York

Of Old English origin meaning "district belonging to the Eurovic tribe".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2007. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

York is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for York popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2007 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3589, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 4 births.

This profile covers 7 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2003 to 2007. 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.

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

We estimate that about 7 living people in the UK are called York. 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 2008 or 2026.

Key insights

  • York ranked #3589 for boys in England and Wales in 2007, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2007, when 4 boys were registered as York.
  • About 7 living people in the UK are estimated to have York as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3589

2007

Births in 2007

4

Latest year

Peak year

2007

4 births

Estimated living

7

2026

Meaning

What does York mean?

The name York has its origins in the Old English language and is derived from the word "Eofor-wic," which translates to "Boar Town" or "Boar Village." This name was likely given to the historic city of York in England, which was founded by the Romans and later became an important settlement during the Anglo-Saxon period.

The name York is closely associated with the city of York, which has a rich history dating back to ancient times. The city was originally known as "Eboracum" by the Romans, who established a military fortress there in the 1st century AD. Over time, the name evolved into "Eofor-wic" as the Anglo-Saxons settled in the area.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name York can be found in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a collection of annals that documented the history of the Anglo-Saxons. The Chronicle mentions the city of York and its significance as a center of power and trade during the Anglo-Saxon period.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name York. One of the most famous was Edmund of York, who lived in the 13th century and was the younger son of King Edward I of England. Edmund was granted the title of Earl of Kent and played a significant role in the conflicts between England and Scotland during his lifetime.

Another prominent figure with the name York was Sir John York, an English military commander who fought in the Wars of the Roses during the 15th century. He was a loyal supporter of the House of Lancaster and served as the Lieutenant of the Tower of London.

In the realm of literature, one cannot overlook the American poet and playwright York Richard Jones, who lived from 1907 to 1997. Jones was known for his works that explored African American culture and identity, and he was a recipient of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award.

Moving into the modern era, York Membry was an American football player who played as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) from 1969 to 1981. He spent the majority of his career with the San Francisco 49ers and was known for his tenacious play on the defensive line.

Lastly, York Alvin Becker was a noted American artist and sculptor who lived from 1900 to 1977. Becker's works were primarily focused on capturing the essence of the human form, and his sculptures can be found in various public spaces and museums across the United States.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

York over time

The chart below shows babies named York registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 to 2007. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For York, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2007, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

York
01234200320052007

Decades

York by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether York 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
2000s #3528 7 2

Related

Names similar to York

FAQ

York: questions and answers

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

In 2007, York was ranked #3589 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was York most popular?

The peak year on record was 2007, with 4 babies registered as York in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of York?

Of Old English origin meaning "district belonging to the Eurovic tribe".

How many people are called York in the UK?

A total of 7 babies have been registered as York 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.