Blake

♀ Girl

Pronounced BLAYK /bleɪk/High

Meaning: Black (from Old English blaec); alternatively pale or fair (from Old English blac) — the two forms were confused in medieval recordsMedium

In 30 seconds: A sharp Old English name with a paradoxical meaning — it can derive from words for both 'black' and 'pale.' Used for boys for centuries, it broke into the girls' top 200 in the 2010s, aided by actress Blake Lively.

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Origin HighEnglish

MeaningBlack (from Old English blaec); alternatively pale or fair (from Old English blac) — the two forms were confused in medieval records

U.S. rank (2025)#295 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births1,035 girls (0.06% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 20,059

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Blake is an Old English byname that evolved into a surname. Two Old English words are the source: blaec, meaning black or dark-complexioned, and blac, meaning fair or pale — giving it opposite potential meanings. As a surname it was common in medieval England, recorded in various spellings from the 12th century onward.

Blake transitioned to a given name in the United States primarily for boys through the 20th century. Its profile for girls rose sharply after actress Blake Lively became a prominent public figure in the late 2000s. By 2024 it ranked #210 on the U.S. girls' list.

Did you know? Blake is linguistically unusual: Old English blaec (black, dark) and blac (bright, pale) were so similar in spelling that medieval scribes confused them — making the name's original meaning genuinely ambiguous.

Overall data confidence 85%

Behind the Name — Blake — etymology including the blaec/blac ambiguityU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Blake Lively (1987–present)
American actress best known for her role as Serena van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl.
★William Blake (1757–1827)
English Romantic poet and painter, author of Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience.

If you like Blake…

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Reese— crisp single-syllable unisex name popular for girls

Morgan— Celtic unisex surname name similarly gender-fluid

Blayke— a similarly popular pick

Clarke— shares Blake's English roots

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Blake mean?

Blake has a disputed Old English origin: it could derive from blaec (black, dark) or blac (pale, fair). Both forms were confused in medieval records.

How do you pronounce Blake?

It's said BLAYK — one syllable, rhyming with 'lake.'

Is Blake a boy or girl name?

Blake was used mainly for boys historically but has ranked in the girls' top 300 since the 2010s.

How popular is Blake?

Blake ranked #210 for U.S. girls in 2024.