Makeba
Every Makeba since 1962 — 702 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Makeba
Makeba 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 1962, 702 American babies have been named Makeba. Its peak came in 1972, when 63 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 Makeba stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Makeba year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | 5 | #17,363 |
| 2002 | 5 | #17,103 |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | 8 | #10,148 |
| 1990 | 11 | #7,648 |
| 1985 | 11 | #6,290 |
| 1980 | 22 | #3,678 |
| 1975 | 37 | #2,261 |
| 1970 | 49 | #1,815 |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Makeba in 2025?
Makeba 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 Makeba?
702 babies have been named Makeba in the United States since 1962, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Makeba most popular?
Makeba peaked in 1972, when 63 newborns received the name.
Is Makeba a boy or girl name?
Makeba is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Makeba rising or falling?
Makeba has been roughly stable over the past decade.