Chester

“Fort, encampment” — Latin, via Old English origin

Boy's name · #1585 in the US (2025) · Vintage

Chester has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #53 (1919) · 121,474 babies named Chester all-time · 1 in 17,000 boys born in 2025.

Around the world: about 1 in 700 boys in England & Wales (2025) · about 1 in 1,200 boys in New Zealand (2025) · about 1 in 2,800 boys in Scotland (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 8 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Chesters

Chester A. Arthur — president of the United States from 1881 to 1885
Chester Bennington — American singer, songwriter and musician (1976–2017)
Chester W. Nimitz — United States Navy fleet admiral (1885–1966)
Chester Morris — American actor (1901–1970)
Chester Carlson — American physicist (1906-1968)

In stories & tradition

Chester Cheetah — advertising character
Chester Lake — Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Chester McBadbat — character

What Chesters become

Among 473 notable people named Chester:

Political leaders appear 1.85× more often than among typical names — e.g. Chester A. Arthur, president of the United States from 1881 to 1885.

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