Parks

♂ Boy

Pronounced PARKS /pɑːrks/High

Meaning: Dweller near a park; from Old French parc (enclosed land, game park) — a surname for those who lived near or worked in a deer parkHigh

In 30 seconds: An English surname meaning 'dweller near a park,' used as a given name. Bold and one-syllable, Parks honors Rosa Parks — whose refusal to give up her bus seat in 1955 became one of the most powerful acts of civil disobedience in American history.

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Origin HighEnglish

MeaningDweller near a park; from Old French parc (enclosed land, game park) — a surname for those who lived near or worked in a deer park

U.S. rank (2024)#2382 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births59 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,389

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

Parks is an English occupational/topographic surname from Old French parc (enclosed park, deer park), from Medieval Latin parca. As a given name it is used primarily as a tribute name honoring Rosa Parks, one of America's most important civil rights figures.

Parks has appeared in U.S. boys' data and ranked #2382 in 2024. Its use reflects tribute naming in communities honoring Rosa Parks's legacy.

Did you know? Rosa Parks (1913–2005) was not acting spontaneously when she refused to give up her bus seat in Montgomery on December 1, 1955 — she was a trained NAACP activist who knew exactly what she was doing. Her act was strategic, not impulsive, and launched the 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Overall data confidence 91%

U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

Park

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Parks Bonifay (1981-)
American professional wakeboarder and X-Games champion

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Explore names like Parks

By themeenglish surname-style one-syllable tribute-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Parks mean?

Parks means 'dweller near a park,' from Old French parc (enclosed land). Used as a tribute name for civil rights icon Rosa Parks.

How do you pronounce Parks?

It's said PARKS /pɑːrks/ — one syllable.

Is Parks a boy or girl name?

Parks is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Parks?

Parks ranked #2382 for U.S. boys in 2024.