Reed
Reed is a unisex name of English origin meaning “red-haired.” It ranked #417 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Reed?
REED
where does the name Reed come from?
Reed has several origins as an English and Scottish surname: from red, for a red-haired person; from an Old English word meaning to clear land; and from places such as Reed in Lancashire, from a word for roe deer, or Rede in Suffolk.
From an English and Scottish surname for a red-haired person, or for someone from a clearing or from places called Reed or Rede. It has a clean, simple feel and is gaining traction as a minimalist given name.
how popular is this name?
Reed has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 145 years since 1881. It peaked at #318 in 2014, and ranked #417 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #417 |
| 2024 | #422 |
| 2023 | #430 |
| 2022 | #415 |
| 2021 | #415 |
| 2020 | #450 |
| 2019 | #402 |
| 2018 | #376 |
| 2017 | #379 |
| 2016 | #351 |
| 2014 | #318 |
| 2010 | #381 |
| 2000 | #449 |
| 1990 | #655 |
| 1980 | #620 |
| 1970 | #619 |
| 1960 | #542 |
| 1950 | #468 |
| 1940 | #622 |
| 1930 | #584 |
| 1920 | #551 |
| 1910 | #512 |
| 1900 | #680 |
| 1890 | #533 |
| 1881 | #653 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Reed fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Reed?
- Lou Reed
- Rex Reed
what are the nicknames and variants of Reed?
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Reed?
what names go well with Reed?
Sibling names that share Reed's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Reed
What does the name Reed mean?
Reed means “red-haired”.
What is the origin of the name Reed?
Reed comes from the English naming tradition. Related forms include Reid.
How popular is the name Reed?
Reed ranked #417 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2014, at #318, and it has spent 145 years in the top 1,000 since 1881.
Is Reed a boy or girl name?
Reed is a unisex name, used for both boys and girls.
How do you pronounce Reed?
Reed is pronounced REED, with 1 syllable.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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