Lane is a unisex given name of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "lane," which means "narrow street or alley." The name Lane has been used in English-speaking countries for centuries, but it became popular as a given name during the mid-20th century.
Historically, Lane was primarily used as a surname, often given to individuals who lived near a narrow lane or alley. Over time, however, some families began using Lane as a given name for their children. Today, Lane is more commonly used as a given name for both boys and girls, particularly in the United States.
In terms of popularity, Lane has consistently ranked among the top 1000 names for boys and girls in the United States since the mid-20th century. However, its popularity has varied over time and by region. For example, Lane was more popular as a boy's name in the southern states during the early to mid-20th century, while it was more commonly used as a girl's name in other parts of the country.
In summary, Lane is an English given name with origins in the Middle Ages. It means "narrow street or alley" and has been used as both a surname and a given name over the centuries. Today, Lane is popular among parents looking for unique yet accessible names for their children.
The name Lane experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a marked increase from the late 1940s to the early 1950s, reaching its peak in 1959 with an impressive total of 342 births. After this peak, there was a decline until the late 1980s, with a notable drop around the mid-1970s. However, since then, Lane has seen a steady rise in popularity, especially from the early 2010s onwards, with recent years showing an increasing number of births, reaching a total of 1406 births in 2019 and 1371 births in 2023. Overall, there have been a total of 44834 births with the name Lane since 1881.