Name Popularity Checker

Type your name to see how common it is. Based on Social Security Administration data covering over 100 years of US births.

James
📈
All-Time Rank
#1
👥
Est. Americans
4,748,138
📊
Frequency
1 in 46
📅
Peak Decade
1940s

How Name Popularity Is Measured

The Social Security Administration has tracked baby names in the United States since 1880. Their database contains every name given to at least 5 babies in a single year. This data covers over 100 million unique birth records and reveals fascinating trends in naming culture over more than a century.

Name Trends Over Time

Names go through generational cycles. Names that sound "old-fashioned" to one generation (like Hazel, Theodore, and Eleanor) often make comebacks 80-100 years later. Meanwhile, names that were wildly popular in the 1980s-90s (like Jessica, Ashley, and Brandon) are declining as parents seek more unique options. The overall trend is toward greater diversity in naming.

What is the most popular name of all time?
James for boys and Mary for girls are the most popular names in US history by total births. James has been in the top 20 for over 100 consecutive years. Mary held the #1 spot for girls from 1880 to 1946.
Are names getting more unique?
Yes. In 1950, the top 10 names accounted for about 30% of all births. Today, that number is under 10%. Parents are choosing from a much wider pool of names, and unique spellings of common names add even more variety.