Ebony
From ebony. First used by African Americans in the 1970s.
Every Ebony since 1950 — 39,453 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ebony
Ebony is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #5,452 in 2025 with 23 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1950, 39,453 American babies have been named Ebony. Its peak came in 1982, when 2,315 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
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 Ebony stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ebony 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 | 23 | #5,452 | — | — |
| 2024 | 23 | #5,495 | — | — |
| 2023 | 19 | #6,235 | — | — |
| 2022 | 28 | #4,829 | — | — |
| 2021 | 33 | #4,270 | — | — |
| 2020 | 29 | #4,575 | — | — |
| 2019 | 37 | #3,946 | — | — |
| 2018 | 45 | #3,449 | — | — |
| 2017 | 47 | #3,355 | — | — |
| 2016 | 70 | #2,546 | — | — |
| 2015 | 56 | #3,039 | — | — |
| 2014 | 71 | #2,520 | — | — |
| 2013 | 105 | #1,910 | — | — |
| 2012 | 94 | #2,048 | — | — |
| 2011 | 98 | #2,002 | — | — |
| 2010 | 119 | #1,747 | — | — |
| 2009 | 171 | #1,384 | — | — |
| 2008 | 182 | #1,346 | 5 | #13,087 |
| 2007 | 208 | #1,206 | — | — |
| 2006 | 227 | #1,103 | — | — |
| 2005 | 257 | #961 | — | — |
| 2004 | 307 | #818 | 5 | #11,871 |
| 2003 | 333 | #749 | — | — |
| 2002 | 372 | #676 | — | — |
| 2001 | 380 | #662 | — | — |
| 2000 | 474 | #553 | 6 | #9,446 |
| 1995 | 907 | #306 | 7 | #7,229 |
| 1990 | 1,567 | #186 | 21 | #2,991 |
| 1985 | 1,787 | #160 | 17 | #2,863 |
| 1980 | 1,581 | #175 | 21 | #2,388 |
| 1975 | 616 | #352 | 29 | #1,720 |
| 1970 | 55 | #1,686 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | 6 | #4,895 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ebony mean?
From ebony. First used by African Americans in the 1970s.
How popular is the name Ebony in 2025?
Ebony ranked #5,452 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 23 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Ebony?
39,453 babies have been named Ebony in the United States since 1950, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ebony most popular?
Ebony peaked in 1982, when 2,315 newborns received the name.
Is Ebony a boy or girl name?
Ebony is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ebony rising or falling?
Ebony is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.