January
From Middle English Januarie, januari, re-latinised forms of Middle English Janevere, Ieneuer, from Anglo-Norman genever, from Latin Iānuārius (“(month) of Janus”), a…
Every January since 1951 — 2,170 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of January
January is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #10,448 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1951, 2,170 American babies have been named January. Its peak came in 1978, when 257 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
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 January stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
January year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | #10,448 |
| 2024 | 11 | #9,200 |
| 2023 | 17 | #6,778 |
| 2022 | 20 | #6,078 |
| 2021 | 15 | #7,416 |
| 2020 | 19 | #6,177 |
| 2019 | 14 | #7,908 |
| 2018 | 19 | #6,364 |
| 2017 | 24 | #5,434 |
| 2016 | 21 | #6,060 |
| 2015 | 22 | #5,913 |
| 2014 | 27 | #5,086 |
| 2013 | 36 | #4,111 |
| 2012 | 28 | #5,023 |
| 2011 | 25 | #5,440 |
| 2010 | 23 | #5,865 |
| 2009 | 15 | #8,215 |
| 2008 | 11 | #10,377 |
| 2007 | 8 | #13,177 |
| 2006 | 10 | #10,940 |
| 2005 | 9 | #11,282 |
| 2004 | 11 | #9,515 |
| 2003 | 16 | #7,020 |
| 2002 | 14 | #7,592 |
| 2001 | 8 | #11,441 |
| 2000 | 13 | #7,761 |
| 1995 | 10 | #8,337 |
| 1990 | 8 | #9,607 |
| 1985 | 37 | #2,616 |
| 1980 | 122 | #1,119 |
| 1975 | 89 | #1,258 |
| 1970 | 10 | #5,194 |
| 1965 | 11 | #4,045 |
| 1960 | 6 | #5,969 |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named January
- January Suchodolski Painter · 1797–1875
- January Jones Actor · b. 1978
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name January mean?
From Middle English Januarie, januari, re-latinised forms of Middle English Janevere, Ieneuer, from Anglo-Norman genever, from Latin Iānuārius (“(month) of Janus”), a compound of Iānus ("Janus") + -ārius (adjectival suffix),…
How popular is the name January in 2025?
January ranked #10,448 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named January?
2,170 babies have been named January in the United States since 1951, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name January most popular?
January peaked in 1978, when 257 newborns received the name.
Is January a boy or girl name?
January is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name January rising or falling?
January is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named January?
Well-known people named January include January Suchodolski (painter), January Jones (actor).