Find out how popular the first name Reed has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Reed by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Reed is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 97% of people named Reed being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 724 male babies and 24 female babies born with the name Reed.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 24 baby girls were named Reed in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Reed

The given name Reed has its origins in Old English, derived from the word "reed," which refers to the tall, slender grass-like plant that grows in wetlands and marshes. This name likely emerged during the Anglo-Saxon period in England, between the 5th and 11th centuries.

The name Reed is thought to have been initially used as a descriptive surname or byname, referring to someone who lived near a reed bed or worked with reeds in some capacity, such as a basket weaver or thatcher. Over time, it transitioned from a surname to a given name.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Reed can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. It mentions a landowner named "Radulfus Reed" in Nottinghamshire.

In the 13th century, a notable bearer of the name was Reed the Miller, a wealthy landowner and mill operator from Bedfordshire, England. He was mentioned in several legal documents and records from that era.

During the Renaissance period, a prominent figure named Reed Painter (c. 1548-1619) was an English painter known for his portraits of prominent figures, including Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh.

In the 18th century, Reed Prentice (1723-1809) was a respected American Revolutionary War soldier and politician from Massachusetts. He served as a member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress and the Massachusetts State Legislature.

Another historical figure named Reed was Reed Smoot (1862-1941), an American businessman and politician from Utah. He served as a United States Senator from 1903 to 1933 and was instrumental in the passage of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930.

In the literary world, Reed Whittemore (1919-2012) was an American poet, critic, and academic who published numerous collections of poetry and received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1964 for his work "Seed Leaves."

These examples illustrate the rich history and diverse backgrounds of individuals who have borne the given name Reed throughout various periods and across different cultures.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Reed was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Reed, please contact us.

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