How Many People Are Named Hector?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Hector

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 19,690 living people in the United States currently have the first name Hector. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 20,822 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #118 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~19,690CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)20,822Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#118U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year2003 (532 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~19,690
Historical Births (SSA)
20,822
All-Time Rank
#118
Historical Peak
2003

Key Insights for Hector

Estimated Living Bearers
~19,690 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#118
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
2003
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Female
3.7% Male · 96.3% Female
Recent 10-Year Trajectory
Softening (-19%)
2015–2024 SSA birth registration trend
Largest Estimated Population
California
~2,461 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Hector

Living Population Model
~19,690

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
20,822

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
18,750

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
23.8 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
2003

Highest annual total: 532 registrations in 2003.

Recent 10-Year Trend
declining (-19%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Between 2015 and 2024, Hector has experienced a 19% softening in annual newborn registrations from preceding decades.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Hector (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 2003 (~532 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201049820478
201148820468
201247719458
201346519446
201445218434
201543818420
201642417407
201740916393
201839416378
201937915364
202036315348
202134714333
202233213319
202331613303
202430012288

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
1/100
1950s
3/100
1960s
10/100
1970s
26/100
1980s
53/100
1990s
79/100
2000s
98/100
2010s
83/100
2020s
31/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historical U.S. registration data shows Hector is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (96.3% female births).

Male: 3.7% (~773 births)Female: 96.3% (~20,049 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Hector

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Hector in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Hector appeared 18,750 times, ranking #213 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
18,750 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#213
Census Sex Breakdown
8% M · 92% F

Where Is the Name Hector Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~2,461 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~2,46112.5%
Texas (TX)~1,8119.2%
Florida (FL)~1,3396.8%
New York (NY)~1,2016.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~7884%
Illinois (IL)~7683.9%
Ohio (OH)~7093.6%
Georgia (GA)~6503.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 19,690 people named Hector are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 23.8 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Hector: 23.8 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Hector

How many people in the U.S. are named Hector?

Approximately 19,690 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Hector. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 20,822 birth applications for Hector between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Hector?

Hector ranks #118 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Hector comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Hector most popular in America?

The name Hector reached its peak historical popularity in 2003, when 532 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Hector?

Hector has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Hector?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historical U.S. registration data shows Hector is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (96.3% female births).

Where is the name Hector most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Hector resides in California, with approximately 2,461 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Hector in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Hector appeared 18,750 times in census returns, ranking #213 in official 2020 returns.

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