Have you ever wondered why your parents picked your name and why you are not, say, Lucifer?
Deciding on a child’s name is usually a negotiation process, often ending in a compromise. Cultural influences clash with personal preferences — and the results can range from familiar to funky.
24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the Social Security Administration for the period from 1880 through the end of 2019, the latest year for which data is available, to identify the most popular names in America since records began.
There is less variety among boys’ names. The Social Security Administration has tracked since 1880 more than 67,000 different female and almost 41,000 different male names in the United States.
Many historically popular names, such as Elizabeth and John, have dropped in popularity in the past decade but remain in the top 20 of all time. Other names that were popular about a century ago have not made a revival.
Some names were rare and then became popular. And some names never even make it to the 1,000 most popular names in the U.S. — these are the 30 most uncommon baby names of the last 100 years.
Click here to see the most popular girl names in America since 1880
Click here to see the most popular boy names in America since 1880
To identify the most popular names in America 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the Social Security Administration for the years 1880 through 2019. SSA tracks every name with at least five occurrences. All names are from Social Security card applications for U.S. births after 1879. We calculated the share of each name for boys and girls born each year since. The popularity rank is based on the average frequency of each name over the 1880-2019 time period. The total number of babies given the name and the decade of their peak popularity also came from the SSA.
Most Popular Girl Names Since 1880
20. Marie
> Avg. share of babies named Marie, 1880-2019 0.49%
> Total no. of babies named Marie, 1880-2019: 537,154
> Most popular decade: 1900 when 37,091 babies were named Marie, or 1.27% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Physicist Marie Curie
Marie is the French version of Mary. It comes from the Hebrew Miryam, the meaning of which is unclear. Some say it is “sea of bitterness or sorrow” or “mistress or lady of the sea,” while others say it means “rebellion.”
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19. Laura
> Avg. share of babies named Laura, 1880-2019 0.50%
> Total no. of babies named Laura, 1880-2019: 796,619
> Most popular decade: 1880 when 12,806 babies were named Laura, or 0.98% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Former first lady Laura Bush
Laura comes from the Latin “laurus,” an evergreen shrub or tree whose leaves were woven into wreaths by the ancient Greeks to crown winners of competitions.
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18. Frances
> Avg. share of babies named Frances, 1880-2019 0.50%
> Total no. of babies named Frances, 1880-2019: 590,800
> Most popular decade: 1910 when 105,600 babies were named Frances, or 1.29% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Actor Frances Conroy
Frances is the female version of Francis. Frances can also be a form of old French Franceis, the name for a frank, or someone from the Frankish Empire.
17. Susan
> Avg. share of babies named Susan, 1880-2019 0.50%
> Total no. of babies named Susan, 1880-2019: 1,121,986
> Most popular decade: 1950 when 437,749 babies were named Susan, or 2.28% of all baby girls
> Pictured: YouTube CEO Susan Wosjcicki
Susan is the English form of Susannah. It is derived from the Hebrew Shoshana, meaning a lily or a rose.
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16. Nancy
> Avg. share of babies named Nancy, 1880-2019 0.52%
> Total no. of babies named Nancy, 1880-2019: 1,002,700
> Most popular decade: 1940 when 252,048 babies were named Nancy, or 1.74% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan
The origins of Nancy can be traced to a pet form of Nan, which was originally a version of Ann, meaning gracious or full of grace.
15. Alice
> Avg. share of babies named Alice, 1880-2019 0.54%
> Total no. of babies named Alice, 1880-2019: 567,319
> Most popular decade: 1880 when 17,142 babies were named Alice, or 1.31% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Writer Alice Walker
Alice comes from the Old French name Aalis, a short form of Adelais, which itself is short for the Germanic name Adalheidis. Alice became popular in France and England in the 12th century.
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14. Emma
> Avg. share of babies named Emma, 1880-2019 0.57%
> Total no. of babies named Emma, 1880-2019: 690,201
> Most popular decade: 1880 when 25,404 babies were named Emma, or 1.94% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Actress, comedian Emma Thompson
Emma is a short form of the Germanic names that began with “ermen,” meaning whole or universal. It was introduced to England by Emma of Normandy and became a popular name in England after the Norman conquest.
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13. Betty
> Avg. share of babies named Betty, 1880-2019 0.61%
> Total no. of babies named Betty, 1880-2019: 999,901
> Most popular decade: 1930 when 300,391 babies were named Betty, or 2.82% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Actor Betty White
Betty is a nickname or short form of Elizabeth, which means “God is my oath.”
12. Jennifer
> Avg. share of babies named Jennifer, 1880-2019 0.63%
> Total no. of babies named Jennifer, 1880-2019: 1,468,017
> Most popular decade: 1970 when 581,766 babies were named Jennifer, or 3.77% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Singer, actor Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer is a derivation of Guinevere, which is from the Welsh “gwenhwyfar,” meaning “fair lady.” Until the 20th century, Jennifer was largely a regional name. It is now among the most popular names in the English-speaking world.
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11. Linda
> Avg. share of babies named Linda, 1880-2019 0.63%
> Total no. of babies named Linda, 1880-2019: 1,453,065
> Most popular decade: 1940 when 531,647 babies were named Linda, or 3.67% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Supermodel Linda Evangelista
Linda comes from the Spanish “linda,” which means beautiful and pretty. It is also a short form of Germanic complex names that start with “lind,” meaning tender, soft, or weak.
10. Sarah
> Avg. share of babies named Sarah, 1880-2019 0.64%
> Total no. of babies named Sarah, 1880-2019: 1,081,179
> Most popular decade: 1980 when 272,623 babies were named Sarah, or 1.59% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Actor Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah comes from the Hebrew “sÄ rÄ h,” which means princess, lady, or noblewoman. In England, the name became more popular in the 16th century.
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9. Ruth
> Avg. share of babies named Ruth, 1880-2019 0.72%
> Total no. of babies named Ruth, 1880-2019: 826,244
> Most popular decade: 1910 when 173,677 babies were named Ruth, or 2.13% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The origin of Ruth is not clear. The most popular theory is that the name was derived from the Hebrew “re’ut,” a possible shorter version of “rÄ ’Å«th,” meaning companion and friend.
8. Patricia
> Avg. share of babies named Patricia, 1880-2019 0.74%
> Total no. of babies named Patricia, 1880-2019: 1,572,330
> Most popular decade: 1940 when 411,405 babies were named Patricia, or 2.84% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Actor Patricia Heaton
This is the female version of Patricius or Patrick. The word appears in Latin documents in medieval England, but it probably wasn’t used as an actual name until the 18th century in Scotland.
7. Barbara
> Avg. share of babies named Barbara, 1880-2019 0.74%
> Total no. of babies named Barbara, 1880-2019: 1,434,736
> Most popular decade: 1940 when 425,250 babies were named Barbara, or 2.94% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Journalist Barbara Walter
Barbara is the English form of the Greek word “barbaros,” which means foreign. The name became popular during the Middle Ages but significantly dropped in popularity in England during the Protestant Reformation. It was revived in the 19th century.
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6. Dorothy
> Avg. share of babies named Dorothy, 1880-2019 0.80%
> Total no. of babies named Dorothy, 1880-2019: 1,108,201
> Most popular decade: 1920 when 368,874 babies were named Dorothy, or 3.09% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Civil rights activist Dorothy Height
Dorothy is a form of the Greek Dōrothéa, which itself is a combination of “dōron,” meaning gift, and “theos,” meaning God. So Dorothy means “gift of God.”
5. Anna
> Avg. share of babies named Anna, 1880-2019 0.92%
> Total no. of babies named Anna, 1880-2019: 896,736
> Most popular decade: 1880 when 38,159 babies were named Anna, or 2.91% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Anna Wintour
Anna is a Latinate form of the French Anne, which is similar to the Hebrew Hannah, meaning gracious or full of grace.
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4. Helen
> Avg. share of babies named Helen, 1880-2019 0.93%
> Total no. of babies named Helen, 1880-2019: 1,019,804
> Most popular decade: 1910 when 248,155 babies were named Helen, or 3.04% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Actor Helen Mirren
Helen is the English form of the Greek “helene,” meaning torch. The name may also be related to the Greek word “selene,” meaning moon.
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3. Margaret
> Avg. share of babies named Margaret, 1880-2019 1.03%
> Total no. of babies named Margaret, 1880-2019: 1,251,234
> Most popular decade: 1910 when 189,233 babies were named Margaret, or 2.32% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Author Margaret Atwood
Margaret comes from the Greek Margarítēs, which itself is derived from “maragon,” meaning a pearl.
2. Elizabeth
> Avg. share of babies named Elizabeth, 1880-2019 1.09%
> Total no. of babies named Elizabeth, 1880-2019: 1,646,385
> Most popular decade: 1980 when 25,006 babies were named Elizabeth, or 1.90% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Queen of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms Queen Elizabeth
Elizabeth is originally from the Hebrew ““elÄ«sheba‘,” meaning “God is my oath.” The name was a lot more popular in Eastern Europe than the rest of the world until the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century.
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1. Mary
> Avg. share of babies named Mary, 1880-2019 3.38%
> Total no. of babies named Mary, 1880-2019: 4,128,052
> Most popular decade: 1920 when 701,760 babies were named Mary, or 5.87% of all baby girls
> Pictured: Singer, actor Mary J. Blige
Mary is the English form of Maria, which is the Latin name of the Greek Mariam and Maria, both of which are derived from the Hebrew Miryam. What the name means exactly is unclear — either “sea of bitterness,” “rebelliousness,” or “wished for child.”
Most Popular Boy Names Since 1880
20. Anthony
> Avg. share of babies named Anthony, 1880-2019 0.65%
> Total no. of babies named Anthony, 1880-2019: 1,448,654
> Most popular decade: 1980 when 211,847 babies were named Anthony, or 1.15% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain
This is the English version of the Roman last name Antonius, which is of Etruscan origin. The name gained popularity in the Christian world because of Saint Anthony the Great, who founded monasticism.
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19. Walter
> Avg. share of babies named Walter, 1880-2019 0.69%
> Total no. of babies named Walter, 1880-2019: 623,403
> Most popular decade: 1890 when 19,494 babies were named Walter, or 1.71% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Journalist Walter Cronkite
Walter comes from a Germanic name meaning “ruler of the army.” It is the combination of “wald” (rule) and “hari” (army). The Normans brought it to England, replacing the name Wealdhere.
18. Henry
> Avg. share of babies named Henry, 1880-2019 0.76%
> Total no. of babies named Henry, 1880-2019: 700,635
> Most popular decade: 1880 when 24,139 babies were named Henry, or 2.20% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Business magnate Henry Ford
Henry is the English name for the French Henri, which comes from the German Heinrich. The name is ultimately derived from the Old High German “haganrih,” meaning ruler of an enclosure. The name was introduced by the Normans in England.
17. Donald
> Avg. share of babies named Donald, 1880-2019 0.77%
> Total no. of babies named Donald, 1880-2019: 1,412,189
> Most popular decade: 1930 when 283,685 babies were named Donald, or 2.68% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Former U.S. President Donald Trump
Donald comes from the Gaelic name Domhnall, meaning “ruler of the world.” It is composed of the old Celtic elements “dumno” for world and “val” for rule. It was a very popular name in Scotland, before spreading to other nearby English-speaking countries.
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16. Christopher
> Avg. share of babies named Christopher, 1880-2019 0.80%
> Total no. of babies named Christopher, 1880-2019: 2,036,708
> Most popular decade: 1980 when 554,927 babies were named Christopher, or 3.01% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Film director Christopher Nolan
The name is derived from the Greek name Christophoros, which means “bearing Christ.” It is a combination of “Christos” and “phero,” meaning to bear or carry.
15. Paul
> Avg. share of babies named Paul, 1880-2019 0.81%
> Total no. of babies named Paul, 1880-2019: 1,390,077
> Most popular decade: 1960 when 242,537 babies were named Paul, or 1.26% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Actor Paul Newman
The name is derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which means small or humble in Latin.
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14. Daniel
> Avg. share of babies named Daniel, 1880-2019 0.88%
> Total no. of babies named Daniel, 1880-2019: 1,929,520
> Most popular decade: 1980 when 345,535 babies were named Daniel, or 1.87% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Actor Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel is a form of the Hebrew Daniyyel, which means “God is my judge.”
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13. Frank
> Avg. share of babies named Frank, 1880-2019 1.01%
> Total no. of babies named Frank, 1880-2019: 911,993
> Most popular decade: 1880 when 30,967 babies were named Frank, or 2.83% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Singer Frank Sinatra
Frank comes from the Old French Franc and the Germanic Frank, referring to a person of the Germanic tribes that founded the Frankish Empire, which included what is now France, Germany, and Italy. Frank is used as a version of Francis, meaning a Frenchman.
12. Edward
> Avg. share of babies named Edward, 1880-2019 1.08%
> Total no. of babies named Edward, 1880-2019: 1,293,145
> Most popular decade: 1880 when 23,133 babies were named Edward, or 2.11% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Actor Edward Norton
Edward means “rich guard.” The name comes from the Old English elements “ead” for wealth or fortune and “weard” for guard. Edward is one of the few Old English names used throughout Europe, even though the spelling varies.
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11. Richard
> Avg. share of babies named Richard, 1880-2019 1.36%
> Total no. of babies named Richard, 1880-2019: 2,567,406
> Most popular decade: 1940 when 477,444 babies were named Richard, or 3.21% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Stand-up comedian Richard Pryor
Richard means “brave power.” The names come from the Germanic elements “ric” (power, rule) and “hard” (brave, hardy). It was introduced in England by the Normans. Richard is the name of three English monarchs.
10. Thomas
> Avg. share of babies named Thomas, 1880-2019 1.45%
> Total no. of babies named Thomas, 1880-2019: 2,318,599
> Most popular decade: 1940 when 350,755 babies were named Thomas, or 2.36% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Inventor Thomas Edison
Thomas is the Greek form of the Aramaic name Ta’oma’, meaning twin.
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9. George
> Avg. share of babies named George, 1880-2019 1.59%
> Total no. of babies named George, 1880-2019: 1,470,539
> Most popular decade: 1880 when 47,651 babies were named George, or 4.35% of all baby boys
> Pictured: First president of the U.S. George Washington
George is the English version of the Greek name Georgios, which originates from the Greek word “georgos,” meaning farmer.
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8. David
> Avg. share of babies named David, 1880-2019 1.65%
> Total no. of babies named David, 1880-2019: 3,630,549
> Most popular decade: 1960 when 734,027 babies were named David, or 3.81% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Former soccer player David Beckham
David is a version of the Hebrew name Dawid, which comes from “dod,” meaning beloved or uncle.
7. Joseph
> Avg. share of babies named Joseph, 1880-2019 1.76%
> Total no. of babies named Joseph, 1880-2019: 2,622,654
> Most popular decade: 1910 when 179,300 babies were named Joseph, or 2.69% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Joseph comes from the Hebrew Yosef, from the root yasaf, meaning “may He add” or “God shall add.”
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6. Michael
> Avg. share of babies named Michael, 1880-2019 1.81%
> Total no. of babies named Michael, 1880-2019: 4,373,592
> Most popular decade: 1960 when 833,212 babies were named Michael, or 4.33% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Retired basketball player Michael Jordan
Michael comes from the Hebrew name Mikha’el, which means “who is like God?,” implying that no one is like God.
5. Charles
> Avg. share of babies named Charles, 1880-2019 1.91%
> Total no. of babies named Charles, 1880-2019: 2,399,300
> Most popular decade: 1880 when 46,656 babies were named Charles, or 4.26% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Retired basketball player Charles Barkley
Charles is the English version of the Germanic name Karl, which comes from a word meaning man. Another possible origin is that Charles is derived from the common Germanic name element “hari,” which means army or warrior.
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4. Robert
> Avg. share of babies named Robert, 1880-2019 2.87%
> Total no. of babies named Robert, 1880-2019: 4,825,159
> Most popular decade: 1930 when 590,771 babies were named Robert, or 5.59% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Actor Robert Downey Jr.
Robert is a version of the Germanic name Hrodebert, meaning “bright fame.” It comes from “hrod” (fame) and “beraht” (bright). In Britain, Robert replaced the Old English name of Hreodbeorht.
3. William
> Avg. share of babies named William, 1880-2019 3.37%
> Total no. of babies named William, 1880-2019: 4,131,182
> Most popular decade: 1880 when 84,881 babies were named William, or 7.75% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Playwright William Shakespeare
This is a version of the Germanic name Willahelm, which combines “wil” (will, desire) and “helm” (helmet, protection).
2. James
> Avg. share of babies named James, 1880-2019 3.46%
> Total no. of babies named James, 1880-2019: 5,177,716
> Most popular decade: 1940 when 795,730 babies were named James, or 5.35% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Actor James Dean
James is derived from the Latin name Iacomus which comes from Iakobos, which is the New Testament Greek form of the Hebrew name Ya’aqov (or Jacob). The name was most common in Scotland until the 17th century, when the Scottish king James VI inherited the
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1. John
> Avg. share of babies named John, 1880-2019 4.01%
> Total no. of babies named John, 1880-2019: 5,133,909
> Most popular decade: 1880 when 89,950 babies were named John, or 8.21% of all baby boys
> Pictured: Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy
John is derived from the Latin Johannes, which comes from the Greek Ioannes, which itself is derived from the Hebrew Yehanan, a short version of Yehohanan, meaning “Yahweh is gracious.”
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