Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Monica
GirlLatin
- Meaning
- uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- MAH-nih-kuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #737
- US babies 2025
- 371
- Best rank
- #39 (1977)
- Peak year
- 1979
Meaning and origin of Monica
Monica is usually linked to Latin roots, but its original meaning is uncertain.
Monica is known above all through Saint Monica, the fourth-century North African mother of Saint Augustine, whose prayers for her son's conversion are recorded in his Confessions. The origin of the name is uncertain. It may come from a local North African language, and it was later associated with the Latin monere, to advise, and with the Greek monos, alone, but these links are not proven. Monica spread across Catholic Europe and became very popular in English in the twentieth century. It feels warm, familiar and quietly classic.
Popularity over time
Monica has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 144 different years. Its best national rank was #39 in 1977, and the most babies received it in 1979, when 6,585 were named Monica. In 2025, 371 babies were named Monica, and it ranked #737 nationally. That is 33% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #462 in 1920, #231 in 1950, #45 in 1980, #167 in 2000, #361 in 2010, and #737 in 2025. Of the 251,274 US girls named Monica since records began, 25% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 51,863 babies. Since 2010, 8,429 more have been named Monica.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kristy, Veronica, Mindy, Katrina, and Monique.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Monica ranked highest in Oregon, Washington, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | #469 | 8 |
| Washington | #533 | 13 |
| Florida | #551 | 33 |
| California | #554 | 59 |
| Tennessee | #596 | 13 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Monica is usually pronounced MAH-nih-kuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-ca”.
Middle names for Monica
A few middle names that flow with Monica: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Monica
Similar names
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Lists that include Monica
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Monica mean?
Monica is usually linked to Latin roots, but its original meaning is uncertain.
What is the origin of the name Monica?
Monica has Latin roots. Monica is known above all through Saint Monica, the fourth-century North African mother of Saint Augustine, whose prayers for her son's conversion are recorded in his Confessions.
Is Monica a popular name?
Yes. Monica ranked #737 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Monica a boy or girl name?
Monica is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Monica?
Monica is usually pronounced MAH-nih-kuh. 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