Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
April
GirlLatin, English· “the month of April”
- Meaning
- the month of April
- Origin
- Latin, English
- Pronunciation
- AY-pruhl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #542
- US babies 2025
- 557
- Best rank
- #23 (1979)
- Peak year
- 1980
Meaning and origin of April
April is a Latin and English name that is usually said to mean “the month of April”.
April is taken from the name of the month, which comes from the Latin Aprilis. The Romans' own explanation linked it to aperire, to open, as in the opening of buds in spring, though some scholars connect it with the goddess Aphrodite instead, so the deeper origin is uncertain. As a given name April belongs to the family of month names, along with May and June, that became popular in the twentieth century. It feels fresh, cheerful and gently retro, and it carries the promise of spring without being too sweet.
Popularity over time
April first appears in US Social Security records in 1917. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 87 different years, starting in 1939. Its best national rank was #23 in 1979, and the most babies received it in 1980, when 11,472 were named April. In 2025, 557 babies were named April, and it ranked #542 nationally. That is 31% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,105 in 1920, #402 in 1950, #26 in 1980, #214 in 2000, #375 in 2010, and #542 in 2025. Of the 242,925 US girls named April since records began, 32% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 75,950 babies. Since 2010, 11,075 more have been named April.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Sara, Andrea, Kristin, Brandy, and Monica.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, April ranked highest in Maryland, Texas, and Nevada.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | #333 | 16 |
| Texas | #346 | 99 |
| Nevada | #378 | 7 |
| Virginia | #380 | 21 |
| California | #383 | 86 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
April is usually pronounced AY-pruhl, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-il”.
Middle names for April
A few middle names that flow with April: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for April
Similar names
Autumn Girl
AW-tuhm
“autumn season” · English
#88
Lauren Girl
LOR-uhn
“from Laurentum; linked to laurel” · English
#401
Gracie Girl
GRAY-see
“grace” · English
#227
Summer Girl
SUH-mur
“the season of summer” · English
#152
Avril Girl
AV-ril
“April” · French
#1,845
June Girl
JOON
“the month of June” · English
#150
Olive Girl
AH-lihv
“olive tree” · English
#197
Justice Unisex
JUHS-tihs
“justice, fairness” · English
#1,363
Cadence Girl
KAY-duhns
“rhythm, flow” · English
#1,022
Winter Girl
WIHN-tur
“winter” · English
#426
Mabel Girl
MAY-buhl
“lovable” · English
#201
Frances Girl
FRAN-sihs
“Frenchman, Frankish” · Latin
#318
Lists that include April
Frequently asked questions
What does the name April mean?
April is a Latin and English name that is usually said to mean “the month of April”.
What is the origin of the name April?
April has Latin and English roots. April is taken from the name of the month, which comes from the Latin Aprilis.
Is April a popular name?
Yes. April ranked #542 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is April a boy or girl name?
April is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce April?
April is usually pronounced AY-pruhl. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings