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The rise of unique baby names, 1880 to 2025

Americans used 17,297 different girl names and 13,930 boy names in 2025, up from about 6,100 and 4,200 in 1950. The peak came in 2007.

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What the data shows

  • Girl names: 942 in 1880, 17,297 in 2025 (18× higher). It peaked at 20,584 in 2007.
  • Boy names: 1,058 in 1880, 13,930 in 2025 (13× higher). It peaked at 14,625 in 2008.

About this chart

This chart counts how many different names were given to at least five US babies of each sex in a year. Variety exploded after 1950: 6,109 girl names and 4,196 boy names were in use in 1950, rising to 20,584 and 14,394 in 2007. Since then the counts have eased slightly, partly because there are fewer births.

The spread shows up at the top of the list too. In 1950 the ten most popular girl names went to 24.1% of girls; in 2025 they went to 7.0%. Names given to fewer than five babies are not published, so the true number of distinct names is higher. Source: Social Security Administration.

The data

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, baby names from Social Security card applications (names given to 5 or more babies), number of different names given to at least 5 babies each year. Retrieved November 4, 2026.

How many different baby names?, Distinct names given in the US each year, 1880 to 2025, 1880–2025
DateGirl namesBoy names
18809421,058
1881938996
18821,0281,099
18831,0541,030
18841,1721,125
18851,1971,097
18861,2821,110
18871,3061,067
18881,4741,177
18891,4791,111
18901,5341,161
18911,5331,127
18921,6611,260
18931,6521,179
18941,7021,239
18951,8081,241
18961,8251,266
18971,7991,229
18981,9751,289
18991,8421,200
19002,2231,506
19011,9431,210
19022,0421,320
19032,0831,306
19042,1651,395
19052,2341,421
19062,2201,413
19072,3991,549
19082,4341,584
19092,5481,679
19102,7901,839
19112,8681,999
19123,4452,905
19133,7073,261
19144,2063,759
19154,9674,390
19165,1614,535
19175,3104,602
19185,5854,813
19195,5594,810
19205,7674,989
19215,8714,985
19225,7894,967
19235,7394,904
19245,9004,970
19255,7714,867
19265,6224,837
19275,6024,802
19285,4404,723
19295,2774,545
19305,2474,542
19314,9794,321
19325,0984,284
19334,8584,156
19344,9734,205
19354,8934,146
19364,8564,037
19374,9304,020
19384,9954,035
19394,9503,968
19405,0283,937
19415,0854,002
19425,3784,044
19435,3674,040
19445,2433,909
19455,2423,783
19465,6864,018
19476,1044,266
19486,0404,199
19496,0664,205
19506,1094,196
19516,2134,253
19526,3894,257
19536,4974,341
19546,6254,360
19556,7324,400
19566,8914,455
19577,0154,552
19587,0304,502
19597,2024,572
19607,3324,598
19617,5274,657
19627,5844,631
19637,6614,621
19647,8064,594
19657,5354,425
19667,6244,540
19677,8524,551
19688,1984,746
19698,7085,043
19709,3555,433
19719,6455,655
19729,6665,751
19739,8105,877
197410,2476,004
197510,6186,337
197610,9136,495
197711,3296,861
197811,4756,762
197911,9727,071
198012,1617,293
198112,1987,289
198212,3327,367
198312,0747,344
198412,1817,341
198512,5057,586
198612,8367,830
198713,2638,152
198813,8838,495
198914,5509,232
199015,2349,493
199115,4669,648
199215,6109,820
199315,80110,170
199415,75910,245
199515,75310,330
199615,89410,536
199716,16310,814
199816,60111,311
199916,94711,614
200017,66012,119
200117,97812,307
200218,08612,489
200318,43912,761
200418,83513,228
200519,19913,370
200620,06414,047
200720,58414,394
200820,48214,625
200920,19914,540
201019,84114,270
201119,59014,360
201219,53414,250
201319,27914,070
201419,23214,081
201519,13014,059
201618,88514,207
201718,44814,262
201818,15214,118
201918,02414,133
202017,52714,060
202117,67614,096
202217,76014,333
202317,61514,215
202417,72614,294
202517,29713,930

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Frequently asked questions

Are baby names getting more unique?

Yes, over the long run. The number of different names given to at least five US babies rose from 6,109 girl names in 1950 to a peak of 20,584 in 2007, and was 17,297 in 2025. The top ten girl names went to 24.1% of girls in 1950 and 7.0% in 2025.

Why does the count fall after 2007?

Births in the US have fallen since 2007, and the data only includes names given to at least five babies, so fewer births means fewer names clear that bar.

Where does this data come from?

U.S. Social Security Administration, baby names from Social Security card applications (names given to 5 or more babies), number of different names given to at least 5 babies each year. Retrieved November 4, 2026. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

Can I turn this chart into a video?

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