Lake

♂ Boy

Pronounced LAYK /ˈleɪk/Medium

Meaning: from the English word "lake," used as a nature name and topographic surnameMedium

In 30 seconds: Lake is an English nature name taken straight from the word for a body of water. It also served as a topographic surname for people living near one.

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Origin MediumEnglish

Meaningfrom the English word "lake," used as a nature name and topographic surname

U.S. rank (2025)#2068 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births72 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,985

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

The name is simply the English word 'lake', used both as a nature name and as a surname for those who lived beside the water. It needs no deeper etymology than the plain word it borrows. That directness is part of its calm, open appeal.

Lake has a still, serene quality and a single soft syllable that reads as modern and unfussy. It fits among the wave of nature word names chosen for their imagery.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Lake is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name - Lake — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Lake Bell (1979-)
American actress, director, and screenwriter

If you like Lake…

Reed— A waterside nature-and-surname name akin to Lake's topographic roots.

Wade— A name tied to water and a topographic surname, comparable to Lake.

Mike— echoes that soft -ke sound

Clarke— shares the -ke ending

Laine— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Lake

By themeenglish unisex nature

By meaningSea / Water Earth / Nature

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Lake mean?

Lake is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Lake?

It's commonly said LAYK /ˈleɪk/.

Is Lake a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Lake is used as a boy name.

How popular is Lake?

In 2024, Lake ranked #1632 in the U.S. for boys, with 104 births recorded.