Reed
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Red-haired or one living near reeds
Origin: Old English
Popularity: Ranked #419 in 2025 with 770 babies born.
History: Reed is an Old English name or surname derived from 'read,' meaning red, typically describing someone with red hair, or from someone living near reed beds. Its clean, one-syllable strength has made it an appealing modern given name. It is sometimes used as a variant of Reid.
Name length: 4 letters
How common is Reed? About 1 in 4,246 babies born in 2025 were named Reed, or roughly 2.1 per day in the United States.
Explore more baby names at BabyNa.me — 29,000+ names with meanings, origins, and popularity trends.
Loading name...
Frequently asked about Reed
What does the name Reed mean?
Reed means “Red-haired or one living near reeds” from Old English roots.
What is the origin of the name Reed?
Reed has Old English origin. The traditional meaning is “Red-haired or one living near reeds”.
How popular is Reed?
Reed ranked #417 in 2025 — given to 770 babies that year.
When was Reed most popular?
Reed peaked in 2014 with 1,096 babies registered that year.
Is Reed a boy or girl name?
Reed is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Reeds in registered births are male.
Is the name Reed rising or falling in popularity?
Reed has risen 3875 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #4292 in 2020 to #417 in 2025.
How long has Reed been recorded?
Reed appears in birth records across 145 years — from 1881 through 2025.