Pepper
Every Pepper since 1937 — 3,551 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Pepper
Pepper is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #1,907 in 2025 with 102 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1937, 3,551 American babies have been named Pepper — about 93% girls and 7% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2021, when 164 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Pepper stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Pepper 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 | 102 | #1,907 | — | — |
| 2024 | 127 | #1,635 | — | — |
| 2023 | 129 | #1,623 | 5 | #13,660 |
| 2022 | 156 | #1,438 | 5 | #13,833 |
| 2021 | 156 | #1,403 | 8 | #9,471 |
| 2020 | 132 | #1,589 | — | — |
| 2019 | 145 | #1,505 | — | — |
| 2018 | 131 | #1,630 | 9 | #8,650 |
| 2017 | 123 | #1,736 | 7 | #10,497 |
| 2016 | 136 | #1,621 | 9 | #8,641 |
| 2015 | 152 | #1,503 | — | — |
| 2014 | 161 | #1,419 | — | — |
| 2013 | 154 | #1,456 | — | — |
| 2012 | 135 | #1,610 | 7 | #10,480 |
| 2011 | 118 | #1,745 | — | — |
| 2010 | 98 | #2,039 | 5 | #13,750 |
| 2009 | 67 | #2,726 | 10 | #8,145 |
| 2008 | 30 | #4,987 | 5 | #14,090 |
| 2007 | 19 | #7,029 | — | — |
| 2006 | 28 | #5,063 | — | — |
| 2005 | 17 | #7,072 | 8 | #8,900 |
| 2004 | 8 | #12,458 | 9 | #8,008 |
| 2003 | — | — | 6 | #10,524 |
| 2002 | 5 | #17,449 | 6 | #10,329 |
| 2001 | 10 | #9,921 | 5 | #11,854 |
| 2000 | 7 | #12,806 | 5 | #11,696 |
| 1995 | 6 | #12,930 | 9 | #6,276 |
| 1990 | 5 | #14,583 | — | — |
| 1985 | 11 | #6,334 | — | — |
| 1980 | 35 | #2,688 | — | — |
| 1975 | 132 | #956 | — | — |
| 1970 | 15 | #3,993 | — | — |
| 1965 | 15 | #3,372 | — | — |
| 1960 | 8 | #5,074 | 7 | #3,576 |
| 1955 | 7 | #5,081 | 6 | #3,786 |
| 1950 | — | — | 5 | #4,067 |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | 6 | #3,377 |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Pepper
- Pepper Adams Musician · 1930–1986
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Pepper in 2025?
Pepper ranked #1,907 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 102 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Pepper?
3,551 babies have been named Pepper in the United States since 1937, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Pepper most popular?
Pepper peaked in 2021, when 164 newborns received the name.
Is Pepper a boy or girl name?
Pepper is used for both: about 93% of babies named Pepper have been girls and 7% boys.
Is the name Pepper rising or falling?
Pepper is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Pepper?
Well-known people named Pepper include Pepper Adams (musician).