Blake is an Old English name that means dark, black, pale, fair, shining, or white. In English naming tradition, Blake began as a descriptive surname before developing into a given name for both boys and girls. For parents exploring baby name meanings and origins, Blake offers an appealing blend of brisk pronunciation and contrasting historical roots.
Meaning and Origin
Blake originated from Old English as a surname before transferring into a unisex given name. It is primarily used as a male given name transferred from the surname, and rather rarely as a female given name transferred from the surname.
The derivation of the name is uncertain, with two opposing possibilities in Old English. One possibility is that it comes from blac or Old English blæc, meaning black, which served as a nickname for an individual with dark hair or dark skin. Another possibility is that it stems from blaac or Old English blāc, meaning pale, fair, shining, or white, which served as a nickname for an individual with pale hair or skin. In addition to these Old English roots, Blake can also represent an anglicisation of the Irish surname Ó Bláthmaic.
Pronunciation
Blake is pronounced as BLAYK. The single syllable rhymes with lake, make, bake, and take.
Popularity in the US
Blake first appears in 1883, and 186,558 US boys have received the name in total since 1883, with the name being most often given to boys while about 9.7% were girls. In 1950, Blake held rank number 595 with 131 babies, gradually rising over the next three decades to reach rank 237 with 971 babies in 1980. The name entered the top one hundred by 2000 at rank 80 with 5,143 babies and held a similar position in 2010 at rank 87 with 4,703 babies. Its highest level of popularity arrived in 2012, when Blake reached its peak rank of number 71. In subsequent years the name experienced a gradual decline, dropping to rank 209 with 1,815 babies in 2020 and settling at rank 316 with 1,080 babies in 2025.
| Year | US rank (boys) | Babies named Blake |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | #595 | 131 |
| 1980 | #237 | 971 |
| 2000 | #80 | 5,143 |
| 2010 | #87 | 4,703 |
| 2020 | #209 | 1,815 |
| 2025 | #316 | 1,080 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data (names given to at least 5 babies in a year).
Nicknames
Because Blake is a brisk single-syllable name, short forms typically add friendly diminutive endings. Familiar nicknames for Blake include:
- Blakey
- Blakes
Famous People Named Blake
Several well-known figures in entertainment and athletics share the given name Blake:
- Blake Lively: American actress widely recognized for starring as Serena van der Woodsen in the television drama series Gossip Girl and appearing in feature films including The Age of Adaline and A Simple Favor.
- Blake Shelton: American country music singer and television personality who has earned dozens of number-one country hits and served as a coach on the musical competition show The Voice.
- Blake Griffin: American former professional basketball player who earned six NBA All-Star selections, won the NBA Rookie of the Year award, and was selected as the first overall pick in the 2009 draft.
Middle and Sibling Names
Middle names that pair naturally with Blake include Alexander, James, Thomas, William, and Eli.
Sibling names that complement Blake include Carter, Mason, Charlotte, Lucas, Harper, and Avery.
FAQ
How many American boys have been named Blake in total?
A total of 186,558 American boys have been given the name Blake since 1883. While the name has most often been given to boys throughout that span, about 9.7% of all children given the name were girls, demonstrating that it has maintained a consistent unisex presence over many decades.
How does Blake’s peak standing compare to its rank in 2025?
Blake reached its peak position at rank 71 in 2012, whereas by 2025 it sat at rank 316 with 1,080 babies. This change reflects a notable decrease from the early 2010s, when the name comfortably held a place inside the national top one hundred.
Which ancestral root words gave rise to the name Blake?
Blake derives from the Old English roots blæc and blāc, or as an anglicisation of the Irish surname Ó Bláthmaic. In Old English, blæc meant black, while blāc carried the opposing definition of pale, fair, shining, or white. These root terms originally served as descriptive nicknames for dark or pale hair and skin before coalescing into an English surname transferred into a unisex given name.
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