East

♂ Boy

Pronounced EEST /ˈist/High

Meaning: From the English word east, 'the direction of the sunrise; the eastern quarter' (Old English east); a direction/word-name; we note the word-nameLow

In 30 seconds: The east; the direction of sunrise: East is a word-name. Crisp, modern, and warm.

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningFrom the English word east, 'the direction of the sunrise; the eastern quarter' (Old English east); a direction/word-name; we note the word-name

U.S. rank (2024)#7350 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births11 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 65

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

East comes from the English word east, 'the direction of the sunrise; the eastern quarter' (Old English east; we note the word-name). A crisp, modern direction-name (said 'EEST').

In the U.S. it registers thinly as a word-name. Rare, the-direction-of-sunrise at the root, and modern.

Did you know? East means 'the direction of the sunrise; the eastern quarter' (Old English east) — a crisp, modern direction/word-name (we note the word-name; said 'EEST').

Overall data confidence 30%

References — East — word/direction-name

Variations

EastonEaste

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like East…

Easton— the fuller -ton form

West— a fellow direction word-name

Sky— another nature word-name

Quest— shares the -st ending

Priest— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like East

By themeuncertain english word-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name East mean?

East is an English word/direction-name — 'the direction of the sunrise'; we note the word-name.

How do you pronounce East?

It's said EEST /ˈist/ — one syllable.

Is East a boy or girl name?

East is used here as a boy's name; as a word-name it suits either.

How popular is East?

East is a very rare name in the U.S.