San
Every San since 1911 — 2,502 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of San
San is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #11,755 in 2025 with 8 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1911, 2,502 American babies have been named San — about 75% girls and 25% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1950, when 74 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
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 San stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
San 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 | 8 | #11,755 | 5 | #13,552 |
| 2024 | 5 | #17,261 | 6 | #12,108 |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 7 | #13,249 | 5 | #13,741 |
| 2020 | — | — | 6 | #11,771 |
| 2019 | — | — | 5 | #13,790 |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | 5 | #13,899 |
| 2016 | 5 | #18,397 | 5 | #13,847 |
| 2015 | 5 | #18,660 | 8 | #9,420 |
| 2014 | — | — | 10 | #8,023 |
| 2013 | — | — | 5 | #13,709 |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | 8 | #9,517 |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | 10 | #8,195 |
| 2007 | 5 | #19,990 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | 5 | #13,006 |
| 2004 | 5 | #18,282 | 5 | #12,890 |
| 2003 | — | — | 9 | #7,718 |
| 2002 | — | — | 5 | #12,168 |
| 2001 | 5 | #17,417 | — | — |
| 2000 | 5 | #17,090 | — | — |
| 1995 | 7 | #11,515 | 13 | #4,737 |
| 1990 | 14 | #6,391 | 15 | #3,933 |
| 1985 | 10 | #6,838 | 15 | #3,191 |
| 1980 | 28 | #3,118 | 16 | #2,935 |
| 1975 | 39 | #2,189 | 13 | #3,048 |
| 1970 | 42 | #2,002 | 9 | #3,482 |
| 1965 | 43 | #1,735 | 6 | #3,861 |
| 1960 | 47 | #1,653 | 5 | #4,514 |
| 1955 | 35 | #1,796 | — | — |
| 1950 | 66 | #1,142 | 8 | #2,989 |
| 1945 | 18 | #2,047 | — | — |
| 1940 | 6 | #4,272 | — | — |
| 1935 | 7 | #3,699 | — | — |
| 1930 | 6 | #4,490 | — | — |
| 1925 | 8 | #3,978 | — | — |
| 1920 | 5 | #5,650 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name San in 2025?
San ranked #11,755 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 8 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named San?
2,502 babies have been named San in the United States since 1911, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name San most popular?
San peaked in 1950, when 74 newborns received the name.
Is San a boy or girl name?
San is used for both: about 75% of babies named San have been girls and 25% boys.
Is the name San rising or falling?
San is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.