Little
Every Little since 1883 — 1,791 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Little
Little is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1883, 1,791 American babies have been named Little — about 88% boys and 12% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1975, when 41 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 Little stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Little 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 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | 5 | #13,485 |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | 5 | #13,266 |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | 8 | #8,615 |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | 6 | #9,835 |
| 1995 | — | — | 15 | #4,186 |
| 1990 | 5 | #14,263 | 11 | #4,876 |
| 1985 | — | — | 13 | #3,529 |
| 1980 | 10 | #6,572 | 23 | #2,255 |
| 1975 | 9 | #6,229 | 32 | #1,612 |
| 1970 | — | — | 17 | #2,257 |
| 1965 | 5 | #7,093 | 27 | #1,500 |
| 1960 | 8 | #4,994 | 18 | #1,951 |
| 1955 | — | — | 14 | #2,189 |
| 1950 | 5 | #5,753 | 8 | #2,929 |
| 1945 | — | — | 13 | #1,982 |
| 1940 | 6 | #4,135 | 15 | #1,858 |
| 1935 | — | — | 13 | #2,093 |
| 1930 | — | — | 17 | #1,869 |
| 1925 | 5 | #5,439 | 21 | #1,719 |
| 1920 | 5 | #5,416 | 22 | #1,669 |
| 1915 | — | — | 11 | #2,390 |
| 1910 | — | — | 5 | #1,746 |
| 1905 | — | — | 5 | #1,343 |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Little
- Little Richard Singer · 1932–2020
- Little Walter Singer · 1930–1968
- Little Eva Singer · 1943–2003
- Little Willie John Singer · 1937–1968
- Little Jimmy Dickens Singer · 1920–2015
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Little in 2025?
Little did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Little?
1,791 babies have been named Little in the United States since 1883, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Little most popular?
Little peaked in 1975, when 41 newborns received the name.
Is Little a boy or girl name?
Little is used for both: about 12% of babies named Little have been girls and 88% boys.
Is the name Little rising or falling?
Little is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Little?
Well-known people named Little include Little Richard (singer), Little Walter (singer), Little Eva (singer).