How Popular Is Your Name?
Ever wondered how popular your name was the year you were born? A name popularity checker helps you find out. Whether you’re curious about historical trends or want to see if your name was a top choice in the U.S., this tool gives quick answers.
The Popularity of Names Over Time
Names rise and fall in popularity. Some stay common for decades, while others peak and fade fast. The popularity of names over time reflects cultural trends, famous figures, and even pop culture moments. This tool tracks those shifts, letting you see when a name was most used.
How Popular Was My Name?
If you’ve ever asked, “How popular was my name?” this tool has the answer. Enter a name, and you’ll see its ranking, total appearances, and when it was most common. Whether it’s your own name or one you’re considering for a baby, the data helps put its history into perspective.
Popular Names in the U.S.
Each generation has its favorites. From classics like James and Mary to trending names like Liam and Olivia, the list of popular names in the U.S. changes each year. This tool makes it easy to see which names have stood the test of time and which ones have faded away.
How Likely Is It to Meet Someone with Your Name?
The trend of choosing unique names has made the most popular names less common than before. In 2021, the probability of a baby being named Liam or Olivia—the top boy and girl names—was just 1.04%. Compare that to 25 years ago, when the top names, Michael and Emily, had a 1.75% probability. Fifty years ago, 12% of children received a name from the top ten list, but today, that number has dropped to 4.2%.
If you’re wondering how often you’ll meet someone with your name, this tool can help. The likelihood of two kids in a kindergarten class of 35 having the same name is now 41.9%. The chance of three kids sharing a name? Just 1.6%. However, with so many classrooms in the U.S., we estimate around 2,791 kindergarten classes will have three kids with the same name.
Where Does This Data Come From?
The data comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name popularity and population size. School size data comes from the National Center for Educational Statistics. We also use advanced algorithms to find similar names based on spelling and pronunciation patterns.
Can There Be Unusual Naming Errors?
Yes! Sometimes, unexpected names show up in official records. In 2015, SSA data reported ten boys named Sarah. It also recorded 16 girls named ‘Abcde.’ With millions of births each year, occasional reporting errors and rare names are inevitable.
What If My Name Isn’t Listed?
If your name doesn’t appear, it’s likely because it was given to fewer than five babies in a year. The SSA excludes names with fewer than five occurrences to protect privacy. That means your name is extra unique!
Curious to see where your name ranks? Give it a try and explore the patterns behind the names we know and love.