Alpha
Every Alpha since 1880 — 10,045 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Alpha
Alpha is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #13,298 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 10,045 American babies have been named Alpha — about 72% girls and 28% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1917, when 230 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Alpha stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Alpha year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | #13,298 | 71 | #2,079 |
| 2024 | 5 | #15,418 | 75 | #2,030 |
| 2023 | 8 | #11,247 | 54 | #2,480 |
| 2022 | 8 | #11,284 | 61 | #2,325 |
| 2021 | 10 | #9,607 | 49 | #2,627 |
| 2020 | 7 | #12,224 | 66 | #2,113 |
| 2019 | 17 | #6,717 | 67 | #2,131 |
| 2018 | 5 | #15,822 | 50 | #2,547 |
| 2017 | — | — | 52 | #2,450 |
| 2016 | 8 | #11,841 | 61 | #2,209 |
| 2015 | — | — | 43 | #2,769 |
| 2014 | — | — | 43 | #2,757 |
| 2013 | 5 | #16,714 | 41 | #2,805 |
| 2012 | — | — | 38 | #3,006 |
| 2011 | 7 | #13,439 | 33 | #3,311 |
| 2010 | — | — | 44 | #2,732 |
| 2009 | — | — | 50 | #2,529 |
| 2008 | — | — | 50 | #2,516 |
| 2007 | 7 | #14,018 | 46 | #2,643 |
| 2006 | 6 | #15,256 | 51 | #2,404 |
| 2005 | 9 | #10,961 | 41 | #2,658 |
| 2004 | 6 | #14,275 | 32 | #3,078 |
| 2003 | 6 | #13,946 | 40 | #2,546 |
| 2002 | — | — | 38 | #2,560 |
| 2001 | 10 | #9,393 | 39 | #2,489 |
| 2000 | 13 | #7,604 | 35 | #2,623 |
| 1995 | 5 | #13,492 | 14 | #4,289 |
| 1990 | 7 | #10,239 | 7 | #6,430 |
| 1985 | 10 | #6,474 | 8 | #4,716 |
| 1980 | 12 | #5,555 | 7 | #4,954 |
| 1975 | 11 | #5,170 | 11 | #3,254 |
| 1970 | 17 | #3,583 | 7 | #3,849 |
| 1965 | 20 | #2,744 | 8 | #2,988 |
| 1960 | 17 | #2,991 | 9 | #2,875 |
| 1955 | 21 | #2,411 | 8 | #2,970 |
| 1950 | 42 | #1,411 | 17 | #1,815 |
| 1945 | 43 | #1,213 | 11 | #2,133 |
| 1940 | 72 | #841 | 17 | #1,681 |
| 1935 | 91 | #705 | 20 | #1,540 |
| 1930 | 84 | #768 | 22 | #1,559 |
| 1925 | 143 | #609 | 25 | #1,495 |
| 1920 | 188 | #505 | 23 | #1,592 |
| 1915 | 182 | #455 | 30 | #1,181 |
| 1910 | 94 | #406 | 6 | #1,427 |
| 1905 | 73 | #394 | 5 | #1,237 |
| 1900 | 78 | #378 | 6 | #1,169 |
| 1895 | 75 | #330 | — | — |
| 1890 | 57 | #337 | 8 | #739 |
| 1885 | 35 | #337 | 12 | #548 |
| 1880 | 26 | #310 | 6 | #813 |
Famous people named Alpha
- Alpha Condé Politician · b. 1938
- Alpha Blondy Singer · b. 1953
- Alpha Oumar Konaré Politician · b. 1946
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Alpha in 2025?
Alpha ranked #13,298 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Alpha?
10,045 babies have been named Alpha in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Alpha most popular?
Alpha peaked in 1917, when 230 newborns received the name.
Is Alpha a boy or girl name?
Alpha is used for both: about 72% of babies named Alpha have been girls and 28% boys.
Is the name Alpha rising or falling?
Alpha is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Alpha?
Well-known people named Alpha include Alpha Condé (politician), Alpha Blondy (singer), Alpha Oumar Konaré (politician).