At a glance
- In short
- Decatur is a unique and historically significant American English male name with ties to naval officer Stephen Decatur Jr.
- U.S. rank 2025
- Not in the 2025 data · last seen 2017 (#12,246)
- Babies in 2017
- 5 (<0.01% of boys)
- Peak
- #2,743 in 1945
- First recorded
- 1916
Meaning of Decatur
Decatur is a male name with American English pronunciation, usually pronounced as di-KAY-ter (/dɪˈkeɪter/). The name Decatur does not have any variations listed. In terms of popularity, Decatur has had some occurrences in the United States. In 2017, it was given to 5 newborn boys and ranked 12,237th in popularity. In previous years, there have been varying levels of usage for the name Decatur. While the exact origin and meaning of Decatur are not provided, it is worth noting that Decatur is a surname with historical associations. It may also be associated with places named after naval officer Stephen Decatur Jr., who played a significant role in early American history. Despite its rarity as a first name, Decatur can be a unique choice for parents looking for something distinctive and historically significant for their baby boy.
How to pronounce Decatur
English
- Pronounced di-KAY-ter /dɪˈkeɪter/
Popularity of Decatur in the U.S.
Decatur was last recorded in the U.S. in 2017, ranked #12,246 with 5 babies. It peaked at #2,743 in 1945. It first appears in the records in 1916.
- Rank among U.S. boy names (right scale, #1 at the top)
Year-by-year table, 1916–2017 10 rows
| Year | Babies | Rank | vs previous year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 5 | 12,246 | back (not recorded in 2009–2016) |
| 2008 | 7 | 9,871 | back (not recorded in 2007) |
| 2006 | 5 | 12,055 | back (not recorded in 1946–2005) |
| 1945 | 7 | 2,743 | back (not recorded in 1934–1944) |
| 1933 | 5 | 3,642 | ▲ 134 |
| 1932 | 5 | 3,776 | back (not recorded in 1928–1931) |
| 1927 | 5 | 4,210 | ▼ 9 |
| 1926 | 5 | 4,201 | ▼ 4 |
| 1925 | 5 | 4,197 | back (not recorded in 1917–1924) |
| 1916 | 5 | 3,897 | new |
Notable people named Decatur
- Decatur Dorsey was born into slavery and became a Union soldier who earned the Medal of Honor for his bravery at the Battle of the Crater.