Name Popularity Checker
Type a name to see its latest US rank, how many babies received it and whether it is rising or falling.
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Where the numbers come from
The checker uses the US Social Security Administration's baby name files, the same data behind official announcements of the most popular names. They count every first name given to at least five babies of one sex in a year, based on Social Security card applications.
You see the name's latest national rank, a twenty-year trend line and how its use compares with five years earlier. For the full history back to 1880, state-by-state rankings and the meaning of the name, open its profile.
Reading popularity the right way
A rank tells you how a name compares with others, but the number of babies tells you how often you will actually meet it. Names are far more spread out than they were a few decades ago, so today's number one name is given to far fewer babies than the number one of the 1950s was.
Spelling matters as well. Different spellings of the same sound are counted separately, so a name can look rare while its sound is very common. The profile lists other spellings with the same pronunciation.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my name not found?
Names given to fewer than five babies of one sex in a year are not published, and very rare names are not in our generator data. Check the spelling, or try a common alternative spelling.
Is the rank for boys or girls?
The rank shown is for the sex that uses the name most. Unisex names show both on their profile page.
How often is the data updated?
The Social Security Administration publishes a new year every spring. We update the site when it does.