Blake
Blake is a unisex name of English origin meaning “black, pale, dark.” It ranked #295 in the United States in 2025. From the Old English 'blac' or 'blaec,' paradoxically meaning both fair/pale and black/dark—reflecting two distinct…
how do you pronounce Blake?
BLAYK
Hear it spoken aloud with our AI pronunciation tool.
what does Blake mean?
The name Blake means “black, pale, dark.” It comes from the English language tradition.
From the Old English 'blac' or 'blaec,' paradoxically meaning both fair/pale and black/dark—reflecting two distinct Anglo-Saxon words. Originally a surname, Blake has been used as a given name since the 19th century. It was notably borne by the poet William Blake.
where does the name Blake come from?
Both sources agree Blake's derivation is genuinely uncertain: Wiktionary traces the surname to either black or to pale/fair/shining/white, or alternatively to an anglicisation of the Irish Ó Bláthmaic, while Wikipedia similarly describes it as from Old English 'blac' (dark hair or skin) or 'blaac' (pale hair or skin), confirming the paradoxical black-or-pale sense given elsewhere.
the history of Blake
Nothing in the sources retrieved confirms a specific date for its transfer to a given name or the William Blake association sometimes cited; both describe it primarily as a surname origin.
how popular is this name?
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #295 |
| 2024 | #210 |
| 2023 | #221 |
| 2022 | #200 |
| 2021 | #199 |
| 2020 | #209 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
who are famous people named Blake?
- William Blake (poet and artist)
- Blake Shelton (country singer)
- Blake Lively (actress)
what names are similar to Blake?
what names go well with Blake?
Sibling names that share Blake's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
Last reviewed April 30, 2026 · Curated by HushName editorial
love Blake? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
start free consultation