"pale, fair"
Origin: Old English (blāc)
Language: English
Blake
Pronunciation: [ bl-AYK ]
Does Blake flow with your last name?
From Romantic poet to Gossip Girl — a name that spans centuries
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Blake
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"dark, black-haired"
Origin: Old English (blæc)
Language: English
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The Story of Blake
Blake is an Old English name with a paradoxical meaning — it derives from both 'blæc' meaning 'black/dark' and 'blāc' meaning 'pale/fair'. As a surname, it described both very dark-haired and very fair-complexioned people. Poet William Blake (1757-1827) gave the name literary prestige. As a given name for women, Blake gained momentum in the 2000s-2010s as the gender-neutral surname-style trend took hold.
Blake Lively's rise to fame through Gossip Girl (2007-2012) dramatically increased the name's use for girls. Previously predominantly a surname and male first name, Blake became one of the definitive crossover names of the 2010s. It continues to rank in the top 300 for girls.
William Blake was one of England's greatest Romantic poets and artists, giving the name a rich literary legacy. In modern American culture, Blake has become associated with confident, successful women, partly through Blake Lively's glamorous public image.
Historical Record
Blake first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 19,024 babies have been named Blake in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Blake is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #210 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Poet William Blake created one of the largest private mythological systems in English literature
- Blake Lively's role as Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl is widely credited with popularizing Blake as a girls' name
- Blake is one of only a handful of English surnames that flipped to primarily female use in the 21st century
Blake in Other Languages
French
Blake
German
Blake
Spanish
Blake
Japanese
ブレイク
Popularity Over Time
#210
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Blake
B
Blake Lively
Actor
1987
American actress famous for Gossip Girl and A Simple Favor; credited with making Blake fashionable for girls
B
W
William Blake
Writer
1757
English Romantic poet, painter, and printmaker; author of Songs of Innocence and of Experience
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Compare Blake with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #210
- Total SSA Count
- 1,457
- Cultural Origins
- American English Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Nicknames
Bla
Bly
Blie
Blakins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Blake
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Blake is also used as a boy name, ranked #265.
View Blake as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (American)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Blake
What does the name Blake mean?
"pale, fair" (from Old English (blāc)). "dark, black-haired" (from Old English (blæc)). Blake is an Old English name with a paradoxical meaning — it derives from both 'blæc' meaning 'black/dark' and 'blāc' meaning 'pale/fair'. As a surname, it described both very dark-haired and very fair-complexioned people. Poet William Blake (1757-1827) gave the name literary prestige. As a given name for women, Blake gained momentum in the 2000s-2010s as the gender-neutral surname-style trend took hold.
What is the origin of the name Blake?
Blake has Old English (blāc), Old English (blæc), American, English, and Australian origins. In Old English (blāc), it means "pale, fair". In Old English (blæc), it means "dark, black-haired".
Is Blake a boy or girl name?
Blake is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #210. As a boy name, it is ranked #265. Blake is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Blake?
Blake is pronounced bl-AYK.
How popular is the name Blake?
Blake is currently ranked #210 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Blake?
Common nicknames for Blake include Bla, Bly, Blie, and Blakins.
What are good middle names for Blake?
Popular middle name pairings include Blake Rose, Blake Marie, Blake Elizabeth, Blake Ann, Blake Olivia, Blake Victoria, and Blake Renee.
What are good sibling names for Blake?
Names that pair well with Blake as siblings include Quinn, Avery, Chase, Grey, River, and Sage.
How many syllables does Blake have?
Blake has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Blake a common or rare name?
Blake is a popular name, ranked #210 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Blake?
Are there other spellings for Blake?
About the Name Blake
Blake is a girl name with American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "pale, fair" in Old English (blāc) .
Is Blake a boy or girl name? Blake is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #210 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #265. Blake is more commonly used as a girl name.
Blake is currently ranked #210 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Blake has 1 syllable and is pronounced bl-AYK, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Blake include Bla, Bly, Blie, and Blakins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Blake include Blakely, Blakelynn, Blakeleigh, Blakelee, Blakelyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis