Essence
A female given name of African-American usage.
Every Essence since 1973 — 10,761 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Essence
Essence is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,165 in 2025 with 199 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1973, 10,761 American babies have been named Essence. Its peak came in 1998, when 565 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
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 Essence stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Essence 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 | 199 | #1,165 | 6 | #11,078 |
| 2024 | 228 | #1,085 | 6 | #11,342 |
| 2023 | 250 | #1,013 | — | — |
| 2022 | 256 | #1,015 | — | — |
| 2021 | 149 | #1,444 | 5 | #12,717 |
| 2020 | 186 | #1,228 | — | — |
| 2019 | 149 | #1,479 | — | — |
| 2018 | 155 | #1,429 | — | — |
| 2017 | 148 | #1,498 | — | — |
| 2016 | 136 | #1,616 | — | — |
| 2015 | 157 | #1,465 | — | — |
| 2014 | 189 | #1,272 | — | — |
| 2013 | 201 | #1,195 | — | — |
| 2012 | 225 | #1,099 | — | — |
| 2011 | 245 | #1,019 | — | — |
| 2010 | 247 | #1,016 | — | — |
| 2009 | 263 | #1,006 | — | — |
| 2008 | 274 | #979 | — | — |
| 2007 | 287 | #944 | — | — |
| 2006 | 320 | #838 | — | — |
| 2005 | 268 | #928 | — | — |
| 2004 | 308 | #814 | — | — |
| 2003 | 333 | #750 | — | — |
| 2002 | 273 | #846 | — | — |
| 2001 | 322 | #741 | — | — |
| 2000 | 447 | #583 | — | — |
| 1995 | 502 | #490 | — | — |
| 1990 | 138 | #1,220 | — | — |
| 1985 | 67 | #1,715 | — | — |
| 1980 | 47 | #2,163 | — | — |
| 1975 | 18 | #3,674 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Essence
- Essence Atkins Actor · b. 1972
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Essence mean?
A female given name of African-American usage.
How popular is the name Essence in 2025?
Essence ranked #1,165 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 199 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Essence?
10,761 babies have been named Essence in the United States since 1973, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Essence most popular?
Essence peaked in 1998, when 565 newborns received the name.
Is Essence a boy or girl name?
Essence is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Essence rising or falling?
Essence is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Essence?
Well-known people named Essence include Essence Atkins (actor).