Special
Every Special since 1980 — 344 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Special
Special 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 1980, 344 American babies have been named Special. Its peak came in 1996, when 23 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
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 Special stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Special 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 | 6 | #14,888 |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | 5 | #18,886 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | 7 | #15,280 |
| 2006 | 5 | #19,688 |
| 2005 | 9 | #11,722 |
| 2004 | 11 | #9,819 |
| 2003 | 5 | #18,057 |
| 2002 | 11 | #9,405 |
| 2001 | 10 | #10,019 |
| 2000 | 12 | #8,479 |
| 1995 | 20 | #5,002 |
| 1990 | 18 | #5,254 |
| 1985 | 14 | #5,313 |
| 1980 | 9 | #7,324 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 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 Special in 2025?
Special 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 Special?
344 babies have been named Special in the United States since 1980, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Special most popular?
Special peaked in 1996, when 23 newborns received the name.
Is Special a boy or girl name?
Special is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Special rising or falling?
Special is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.