girls' name · peaked 1980

Rainbow

Every Rainbow since 1971 — 606 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.010.010.020.0218801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1980Girls
Rank 2025
#6,767
among girls
Babies in 2025
17
named Rainbow
Peak year
1980
28 babies
All-time total
606
since 1971

The story of Rainbow

Rainbow is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #6,767 in 2025 with 17 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1971, 606 American babies have been named Rainbow. Its peak came in 1980, when 28 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.

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 Rainbow stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Rainbow year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank
2025 17 #6,767
2024 11 #9,431
2023 20 #6,111
2022 18 #6,652
2021 21 #5,902
2020 23 #5,453
2019 25 #5,283
2018 26 #5,108
2017 19 #6,481
2016 15 #7,898
2015 13 #8,840
2014 10 #10,766
2013 16 #7,672
2012 7 #14,652
2011 10 #11,005
2010 11 #10,308
2009 8 #13,407
2008 7 #15,034
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003 10 #10,257
2002 7 #13,296
2001 11 #9,216
2000 11 #9,015
1995 7 #11,457
1990 5 #14,635
1985 8 #8,112
1980 28 #3,114
1975 13 #4,778
1970
1965
1960
1955
1950
1945
1940
1935
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Rainbow

  1. Rainbow Rowell Writer · b. 1973
  2. Rainbow Sun Francks Actor · b. 1979

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Rainbow in 2025?

Rainbow ranked #6,767 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 17 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Rainbow?

606 babies have been named Rainbow in the United States since 1971, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Rainbow most popular?

Rainbow peaked in 1980, when 28 newborns received the name.

Is Rainbow a boy or girl name?

Rainbow is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Rainbow rising or falling?

Rainbow is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Rainbow?

Well-known people named Rainbow include Rainbow Rowell (writer), Rainbow Sun Francks (actor).

Names like Rainbow

Compare Rainbow with similar names →