How Rare Is My Name? Best Statistics 2025

 Ever wondered how rare is my name actually is? Names carry our identity throughout life, yet few of us know exactly how unique our monikers truly are.

Surprisingly, your name reveals more than just what people call you—it contains hidden data about your generation, cultural background, and even potential personality traits. Whether you have a seemingly common name like James or a uniquely spelled variation like Jaymz, the statistical rarity of your name creates an invisible fingerprint that follows you everywhere.

This comprehensive guide dives into eight fascinating statistics that determine your name’s true rarity. We’ll explore everything from historical popularity trends to regional differences, giving you a complete picture of where your name stands in the world. Additionally, you’ll discover how cultural events have influenced naming patterns and whether your seemingly unique name might actually be shared with thousands of others.

By the time you finish reading, you’ll understand not just how rare your name is, but also what that rarity might reveal about you.

How name rarity is calculated

Determining exactly how rare your name is requires analyzing massive datasets with sophisticated statistical methods. Let’s unpack the science behind name rarity calculations.

Data sources used (SSA, census, global databases)

The gold standard for name data comes from government records. The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains the most comprehensive name database in the United States, drawn from every Social Security card application since 1879 ^[1]. This represents a 100% sample of official records, updated as recently as March 2025 ^[1].

Unlike surveys or random samples, the SSA database contains actual birth records rather than estimates. Nevertheless, there are limitations – pre-1937 records may be incomplete since many people born before then never applied for Social Security cards ^[1].

For global perspective, researchers combine:

• Official government birth registrations spanning 114 years (1910-present) ^[2]
• International naming databases for cross-cultural context ^[2]
• Historical archives and census records for deeper historical insights ^[2]
• UK Office for National Statistics data for England and Wales ^[3]

One particularly comprehensive resource contains data on 101,749 unique names from records of 336,267,178 births between the US and UK—significantly more extensive than most name databases ^[4].

Frequency vs. percentile explained

Name frequency is straightforward: it counts how often a name appears relative to the total population ^[2]. For instance, if SSA records show 55,996 babies named Jessica born in 1987 ^[5], that’s a raw frequency number.

Percentiles offer more useful context. If your name is in the 90th percentile, it means your name is more unique than 90% of all other names ^[6]. Consequently, if you’re in the 10th percentile, 90% of names are rarer than yours ^[6].

This translates to real-world probability. For example, a “1 in 480” rarity means if you randomly selected 480 Americans, statistically one would share your name ^[2]. Lower numbers (like 1 in 100) indicate common names, while higher numbers (like 1 in 50,000) signify truly rare names ^[2].

What makes a name ‘rare’?

In technical terms, a name is considered rare based on its statistical occurrence. The SSA specifically excludes names with fewer than 5 occurrences in any geographic area to protect privacy ^[7]. These ultra-rare names don’t even appear in official statistics!

First, the raw numbers are revealing—there were an incredible 31,538 different names registered in U.S. baby name statistics recently ^[8]. Furthermore, about 8% of babies received names too rare to even register in the count—more than received top-10 names ^[8].

The definition of rarity has shifted over generations:

• Only 4.2% of children born last year received a top-ten name ^[9]
• Twenty-five years ago, that figure was 7.5% ^[9]
• Fifty years ago, 12% of children received top-ten names ^[9]

This means a person from our parents’ generation is nearly three times more likely to have a top-ten name than someone from the current generation ^[9]. In fact, for U.S. births in 2024, the top 1,000 names represent only about 71% of all names ^[7], leaving a diverse landscape of uncommon names.

Ultimately, rarity isn’t just about raw numbers—it’s about historical context, regional distribution, and generational patterns that together create your name’s unique statistical profile.

The 8 surprising stats behind your name

Looking beyond just popularity, your name contains a treasure trove of fascinating statistical data. Here are the eight key metrics that reveal your name’s true place in society.

1. Total number of people with your name

The most fundamental stat is simply how many people share your name. In the United States alone, with more than 330 million residents, name counts vary dramatically ^[10]. Common combinations might appear tens of thousands of times nationwide, whereas unique pairings may exist only a handful of times—or not at all ^[10]. For perspective, a name like “Jessica” had 55,996 occurrences in just one year (1987) ^[11].

2. Your name’s overall popularity rank

Your name’s numerical position compared to all others reveals its relative standing. Rankings are determined by counting occurrences during a specific period and ordering them by decreasing frequency ^[12]. Rank 1 is assigned to the name with highest occurrences, rank 2 the next highest, and so on ^[12]. Moreover, this rank can fluctuate dramatically over time—names like “Mary” held the #1 spot for more than 60 years but eventually fell outside the top 100 ^[13].

3. Year your name first appeared in records

Discovering when your name first entered official records can be eye-opening. Indeed, we can trace some names back thousands of years—the earliest documented personal name belongs to “Kushim,” an accountant in ancient Mesopotamia around 3000 BCE ^[2]. Most modern names have more recent origins, with official U.S. record-keeping beginning in 1880 when the Social Security Administration started tracking names ^[13].

4. Peak popularity year and birth count

Names often experience a “golden era”—the year when your name reached its maximum popularity. This peak year reveals much about cultural trends that influenced your naming. Names like “Jennifer” dominated the 1970s, while “Michael” held its top spot for 44 years across decades ^[14]. Equally important, the actual birth count during peak years tells a compelling story—early 1920s saw more than 70,000 girls named Mary annually, compared to just over 2,000 in 2016 ^[13].

5. Gender distribution of your name

Many names lean heavily toward one gender, yet others maintain gender neutrality. Statistical models show precisely how many males versus females share your name ^[10]. For instance, analysis of 2023 data shows “Parker” has a 38:62 female-to-male ratio, while “Blake” exhibits a perfect 50:50 split ^[15]. Notably, name gender associations can shift dramatically over time—”Charlie” was once predominantly male but now has near-equal gender distribution ^[15].

6. Generational breakdown (Boomers to Gen Alpha)

Age distribution analysis reveals whether your name is trendy among Gen Z or peaked with Baby Boomers ^[10]. This generational pattern explains why you might meet many Lindas in their 70s but few in elementary schools today. Essentially, names have distinctive generational signatures—”Linda” topped charts in 1952, “Jennifer” in the 1970s, “Jessica” in the 1990s, and “Emma” dominated recent years ^[14].

7. Regional popularity differences

Names exhibit surprising geographical patterns. A name might rank #1 in one state while barely registering in another ^[16]. For example, “Lainey” recently topped Montana’s charts (influenced by country star Lainey Wilson), “Aurora” ranks third in Alaska (reflecting the Northern Lights), and Hawaiian names like “Kaia” (meaning “the sea”) rank higher in Hawaii than nationally ^[17]. These regional variations reflect local cultures, traditions, and environmental influences.

8. Rarity score vs. popularity score

Finally, sophisticated algorithms can calculate your name’s overall distinctiveness. Modern tools generate a “rarity score” from 0-100, where higher numbers indicate greater uniqueness ^[18]. This score transforms “how rare is my name” into quantifiable data—scores below 25 indicate common names, 45-59 rare names, and 90-100 truly unique “mythical” names ^[18]. Primarily, this differs from popularity rankings by measuring overall statistical uniqueness rather than just frequency.

How your name has changed over time

Names aren’t static entities—they flow through history in fascinating patterns of rise, fall, and sometimes rebirth. Tracing these changes illuminates not just how rare your name is today, but how its rarity has evolved through time.

Decade-by-decade popularity trends

The statistical journey of names reveals dramatic shifts across generations. Prior to the 1950s, popular names showed remarkable staying power—”John” dominated boys’ names from 1880 until 1924, whereas “Mary” reigned supreme among girls until 1947 ^[12]. This consistency has vanished in modern times, as names now cycle through popularity much faster.

Name distribution has fundamentally changed over decades. In 1880, the landscape featured a few extremely popular names, yet by 2014, the distribution had evened out significantly, reflecting greater diversity in naming choices ^[1]. Correspondingly, the percentage of children receiving top-10 names has plummeted—from 12% fifty years ago to merely 4.2% last year ^[19].

Certain names demonstrate extraordinary persistence. “William” maintained top-10 status from the 1880s through the 1970s, returning again in the 2000s and 2010s ^[7]. Alternatively, other names briefly flash into popularity—”Jason” in the 1970s, “Amanda” in the 1980s, and “Brittany” in the 1990s ^[7].

Cultural events that influenced name spikes

Pop culture wields tremendous influence over naming patterns. Following the 2024 Olympics, French names surged in popularity, with “Raphael” climbing 121 spots and “Louis” ascending 87 positions ^[20]. Similarly, television shows drive remarkable trends—after ‘The Bear’ won 11 Emmys, the traditionally female name “Carmen” began rising as a boy’s name ^[20].

Sports create particularly noticeable spikes. After the 2024 women’s NCAA basketball tournament broke viewership records, the name “Caitlin” (after Iowa State point guard Caitlin Clark) jumped more than 2,000 spots ^[20]. Likewise, Super Bowl LVIII’s record viewership boosted football-inspired names—”Creed” (after Chiefs center Humphrey) rose 209 spots ^[20].

Music shapes naming patterns too. Olivia Rodrigo’s album “Brat” propelled “Apple” upward by 900 spots, and names of ’90s icons like Britney Spears and Shania Twain climbed over 1,200 and 800 spots respectively ^[20][3].

Is your name making a comeback?

Names often follow a cyclical pattern known as the “100-Year Rule”—names typically return to popularity approximately a century after their previous peak ^[8]. This explains why names like “Arthur,” popular from the 1880s to 1920s, and “Eleanor,” popular in the early 20th century, are now climbing charts again ^[8].

The speed of a name’s rise often predicts its fall. Names that suddenly become popular tend to lose appeal just as quickly, whereas those that gain popularity gradually demonstrate more staying power ^[21]. Female names typically cycle through popularity faster than male names, though researchers haven’t determined exactly why ^[21].

Many once-common names now appear endangered—Gary, Linda, and Carol are given to fewer than 100 babies annually ^[22]. Nevertheless, the current revival of “grandparent names” indicates your seemingly outdated name might be poised for resurgence—Marjorie, Florence, and Mabel are among the fastest-climbing names for girls ^[22][23].

What your name says about you

Beyond just rarity statistics, your name carries psychological implications that may shape who you become. Research indicates that names can influence personality development, career choices, and even how others perceive you.

Psychometric traits linked to your name

Your name’s sound patterns affect how others judge your personality. Research shows that names with k and t sounds (like Katie or Jack) are consistently rated higher in extraversion, whereas names containing more resonant n or l sounds (Lauren, Owen) rate higher in agreeableness, emotionality, and conscientiousness ^[24]. Interestingly, these associations exist even for made-up names, suggesting our brains automatically connect certain sounds with specific personality traits ^[24].

One comprehensive study with 4,000 participants demonstrated that certain names are consistently perceived as more prosocial, assertive, or positive/negative than other common names of the same gender ^[25]. These perceptions extend far beyond gender, influencing how people interact with you throughout life.

Numerology and lucky number

According to numerological principles, your name contains hidden numerical significance that may affect your life path. Numerology identifies various numbers based on your name and birth date, including life path number, soul number, and lucky number ^[9]. These calculations supposedly reveal compatibility between your birth date and name, with higher compatibility percentages indicating better fortune ^[5].

Some numerologists claim that changing your name to align with your birth date can improve compatibility and potentially change your fate and destiny ^[5]. Nonetheless, such changes should be approached carefully, as they could affect your identity and self-perception.

Common personality patterns

Researchers have observed a fascinating “Dorian Gray effect” – where your name may actually influence your facial appearance. Studies show that both humans and computers can match faces to their correct names at rates significantly above chance ^[26]. This suggests that names can become self-fulfilling prophecies, as people unconsciously develop traits and expressions associated with their names ^[26].

Having an unusual name might shape your life choices in unexpected ways. Research indicates people with rarer names often pursue more distinctive career paths ^[27] and develop greater creativity ^[27]. However, names considered unfashionable or negatively perceived correlate with lower self-esteem and even higher rates of criminal behavior ^[27].

Comparing your name to others

Discovering your name’s uniqueness requires contextual comparison with others. Let’s examine how your name measures against the broader naming landscape.

How your name ranks by gender

Many names show strong gender associations—some tools indicate whether your name is used predominantly by one gender or maintains balance across genders ^[10]. In certain cases, names are used almost exclusively (95%+) for one gender, yet databases track approximately 260 truly unisex names ^[4]. This gender distribution directly impacts perceived rarity, as even common names might be considered unusual when used for the non-traditional gender.

How rare is your name compared to friends?

Your name’s true uniqueness emerges through direct comparison. Sophisticated tools calculate the precise odds of meeting someone with your name—for instance, an individual might have just a 2.7% probability of encountering another person with their name among 10,000 people ^[6]. Even classroom dynamics have changed dramatically; currently, the probability of a kindergarten class having three children sharing a name is only 1.6% ^[6].

Visual rarity gages and percentile charts

Modern name analyzers translate statistical complexity into accessible visual formats. Rarity scores typically range from 0-100, with higher numbers indicating greater uniqueness ^[18]. These scores follow a clear scale:

• 0–24: Common names
• 25–44: Uncommon but familiar
• 45–59: Genuinely rare
• 60–74: Very rare
• 75–89: Ultra rare
• 90–100: Mythical rarity ^[18]

Such visualizations immediately contextualize where your name sits within the overall naming landscape.

Conclusion

Names reveal far more than simply what people call you. After exploring the fascinating world of name statistics, we now understand that your name represents a unique statistical fingerprint shaped by history, culture, and countless social factors.

Your name’s true rarity depends on multiple dimensions – total population count, historical trends, gender distribution, regional popularity, and generational patterns all contribute to its uniqueness. Most surprisingly, the landscape of naming has dramatically shifted over time. Today’s parents choose from a vastly more diverse pool of names compared to previous generations, making modern names statistically more unique than ever before.

Cultural phenomena undoubtedly drive naming patterns. Television shows, sports events, musical influences, and even Olympic games create noticeable spikes in specific names. Additionally, names often follow cyclical patterns, with many “grandparent names” currently experiencing remarkable revivals.

Beyond statistics, your name might subtly influence your personality development and how others perceive you. Sound patterns within names correlate with specific personality traits, while unusual names often connect to distinctive career paths and creativity.

The next time someone asks “how rare is my name?” you’ll know the answer extends far beyond simple popularity rankings. Your name carries a rich statistical story – revealing connections to specific generations, cultural moments, and psychological implications. Whether extremely common or mythically rare, every name holds its own special place in the fascinating tapestry of human identity.

References

[1] – https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/65585/watch-how-baby-name-popularity-changes-over-time
[2] – https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/first-surviving-personal-name
[3] – https://www.huffpost.com/entry/baby-name-trends-luxury-90s_l_6852e937e4b0672778c4842d
[4] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6209202/
[5] – https://astrologyfutureeye.com/fortune-tellers/lucky-name-numerology
[6] – https://datayze.com/name-uniqueness-analyzer?name=rarity
[7] – https://www.businessinsider.com/baby-names-most-popular-by-decade-2018-5
[8] – https://www.fodmapeveryday.com/17-retro-baby-names-that-are-making-a-comeback/
[9] – https://www.prokerala.com/numerology/lucky-numbers.php
[10] – https://howmanyofme.site/
[11] – https://time.com/4320211/baby-name-popular/
[12] – https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/decades/
[13] – https://www.businessinsider.com/baby-names-most-popular-each-year-2018-4
[14] – https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/top5names.html
[15] – https://nameberry.com/blog/truly-unisex-baby-names
[16] – https://nameberry.com/blog/regional-name-trends-different-states-of-mind
[17] – https://stacker.com/stories/family/how-baby-name-trends-different-states-reflect-heritage-and-way-life
[18] – https://howrareisyourname.com/
[19] – https://www.statista.com/chart/34485/most-popular-us-baby-names-by-decade/?srsltid=AfmBOor7vCZZRWGrnKDezZnrWCS54evda3kqumLj-Ndtz0JcqxO1Kexi
[20] – https://www.fox13news.com/news/trends-influence-baby-names-2025-study
[21] – https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/baby-names-suggest-that-cultural-trends-are-abandoned-more-readily-the-quicker-they-catch-on
[22] – https://stacker.com/stories/lifestyle/why-baby-names-are-getting-bolder-cultural-shift-behind-todays-trends
[23] – https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/g64743539/vintage-baby-names-2025/
[24] – https://www.bps.org.uk/research-digest/how-people-judge-your-personality-based-your-name
[25] – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167268125001258
[26] – https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-pspa0000076.pdf
[27] – https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210525-how-your-name-affects-your-personality