Monica
From Latin Mŏnĭca, name of the mother of St. Augustine, of uncertain meaning but probably Berber or Phoenician origin.
Every Monica since 1880 — 252,257 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Monica
Monica is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #737 in 2025 with 371 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 252,257 American babies have been named Monica. Its peak came in 1979, when 6,619 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 Monica stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Monica 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 | 371 | #737 | — | — |
| 2024 | 390 | #724 | — | — |
| 2023 | 386 | #729 | — | — |
| 2022 | 389 | #744 | — | — |
| 2021 | 415 | #695 | — | — |
| 2020 | 404 | #697 | — | — |
| 2019 | 459 | #638 | — | — |
| 2018 | 498 | #608 | — | — |
| 2017 | 473 | #626 | — | — |
| 2016 | 522 | #587 | — | — |
| 2015 | 557 | #559 | — | — |
| 2014 | 577 | #539 | — | — |
| 2013 | 597 | #504 | — | — |
| 2012 | 724 | #431 | — | — |
| 2011 | 780 | #404 | — | — |
| 2010 | 887 | #361 | — | — |
| 2009 | 972 | #339 | — | — |
| 2008 | 1,064 | #317 | — | — |
| 2007 | 1,192 | #285 | — | — |
| 2006 | 1,363 | #248 | — | — |
| 2005 | 1,409 | #238 | — | — |
| 2004 | 1,512 | #225 | 9 | #7,972 |
| 2003 | 1,613 | #207 | — | — |
| 2002 | 1,778 | #180 | — | — |
| 2001 | 1,796 | #182 | 6 | #10,122 |
| 2000 | 1,991 | #167 | — | — |
| 1995 | 3,970 | #87 | 12 | #5,013 |
| 1990 | 4,453 | #76 | 19 | #3,267 |
| 1985 | 4,990 | #61 | 28 | #2,050 |
| 1980 | 6,034 | #45 | 43 | #1,462 |
| 1975 | 5,476 | #49 | 33 | #1,585 |
| 1970 | 6,188 | #56 | 33 | #1,486 |
| 1965 | 5,113 | #72 | 15 | #2,142 |
| 1960 | 3,088 | #140 | 8 | #3,250 |
| 1955 | 1,817 | #182 | — | — |
| 1950 | 1,059 | #231 | — | — |
| 1945 | 400 | #339 | — | — |
| 1940 | 285 | #409 | — | — |
| 1935 | 332 | #352 | — | — |
| 1930 | 168 | #522 | — | — |
| 1925 | 198 | #500 | — | — |
| 1920 | 215 | #462 | — | — |
| 1915 | 196 | #437 | — | — |
| 1910 | 79 | #454 | — | — |
| 1905 | 53 | #470 | — | — |
| 1900 | 39 | #553 | — | — |
| 1895 | 20 | #719 | — | — |
| 1890 | 17 | #661 | — | — |
| 1885 | 10 | #728 | — | — |
| 1880 | 6 | #813 | — | — |
Famous people named Monica
- Monica Bellucci Actor · b. 1964
- Monica Lewinsky Celebrity · b. 1973
- Monica Vitti Actor · b. 1931
- Monica Seles Tennis player · b. 1973
- Monica Zetterlund Singer · 1937–2005
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Monica mean?
From Latin Mŏnĭca, name of the mother of St. Augustine, of uncertain meaning but probably Berber or Phoenician origin.
How popular is the name Monica in 2025?
Monica ranked #737 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 371 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Monica?
252,257 babies have been named Monica in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Monica most popular?
Monica peaked in 1979, when 6,619 newborns received the name.
Is Monica a boy or girl name?
Monica is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Monica rising or falling?
Monica is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Monica?
Well-known people named Monica include Monica Bellucci (actor), Monica Lewinsky (celebrity), Monica Vitti (actor).