Baker
/ˈbeɪ.kəɹ/
Baker comes from the English occupational surname for a person who baked bread, derived from Old English bæcere. The surname-to-first-name transition follows a broader trend of adopting trade-based last names as given names in the 21st century.
As a given name, Baker remained virtually unused for most of American history.
It first began appearing on the SSA charts in small numbers during the 2010s, part of a wave of occupational and surname names gaining traction alongside Cooper, Carter, and Mason.
What the name Baker means
The name’s rise has been remarkably steep. In 2015, Baker ranked No. 1,753 with just 87 births. By 2024, it reached its all-time peak at No.
313 with 1,089 births, representing a more than 12-fold increase in under a decade. This is one of the fastest climbs on the current US charts.
Baker fits a style profile that appeals to modern parents: short, strong, distinctly masculine, and familiar as a word without being overused as a first name. It carries an artisanal, hands-on connotation.
Notable bearers of the surname include Josephine Baker (1906-1975), the American-born French entertainer and civil rights activist, and James Baker, US Secretary of State under George H.W. Bush.
The name has no significant history of use outside the English-speaking world, making it a distinctly Anglo-American choice. Its occupational meaning is transparent and carries positive associations with craftsmanship and warmth.
Baker’s trajectory suggests it may still have room to climb. Names in this occupational category - like Mason, which reached No. 2 - have shown they can move well beyond the 300s when conditions align.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Baker
Baker - similar names
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity