Baby Names US
girls' name ★ peaked 1996

Special

Gender Girl Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among girls
Babies in 2025
<5
named Special
How common
–
girls born in 2025
Peak year
1996
23 babies
All-time total
344
#14,789 all-time among girls
First recorded
1980
in Social Security records

Special popularity over time

344 babies have been named Special since 1980, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras
00.010.010.0218801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1996Girls

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade Girls Per year Change Best rank
1880s – – – –
1890s – – – –
1900s – – – –
1910s – – – –
1920s – – – –
1930s – – – –
1940s – – – –
1950s – – – –
1960s – – – –
1970s – – – –
1980s 90 9 – #5,313
1990s 173 17 +92% #4,565
2000s 70 7 -60% #8,479
2010s 5 1 -93% #18,886
2020s (to 2025) 6 1 +100% #14,888

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.

How old are people named Special?

The median living Special is about 30 years old; half are between 26 and 36. An estimated 300 people named Special are alive in the United States today.

median 30 020406080100

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

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

Quick answers about Special, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Special?

The median living Special is about 30 years old. Half of all living Specials are between 26 and 36 years old.

How many people named Special are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Special are alive in the United States, based on 344 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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.

Names like Special

Names that sound and feel close to Special: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Special with similar names → More names starting with S →