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The short answer
Reed is a masculine name used in English. Behind the Name describes it this way: "From an English surname that was derived from Old English read meaning ‘red’, originally a nickname given to a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion. Unconnected, this is also the English word for tall grass-like plants that grow in marshes." It ranked #419 for boys in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, from an English surname that was derived from Old English read meaning ‘red’, originally a nickname given to a person with red hair or a ruddy complexion. Unconnected, this is also the English word for tall grass-like plants that grow in marshes. The entry lists its usage as English.
Editorial confidence: established
Popularity
Reed ranked #419 for boys in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #419 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (English) and that sit near Reed in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Reed mean?
Reed means "red", according to Behind the Name.
Is Reed a popular name?
Reed ranked #419 for boys in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Reed a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Reed appears in the boys' list; Behind the Name labels it masculine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Reed — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
