Cher
A short form of the female given name Cherilyn, popularized as a given name by the singer Cher.
Every Cher since 1948 — 1,831 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cher
Cher 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 1948, 1,831 American babies have been named Cher — about 94% girls and 6% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1972, when 235 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
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 Cher stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cher 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 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | 6 | #13,840 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | 8 | #11,305 | — | — |
| 2019 | 8 | #11,590 | — | — |
| 2018 | 5 | #16,200 | — | — |
| 2017 | 5 | #16,389 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | 5 | #17,126 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | 6 | #14,545 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | 10 | #9,648 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | 14 | #7,250 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | 5 | #9,080 |
| 1990 | 19 | #4,903 | 9 | #5,451 |
| 1985 | 11 | #6,092 | — | — |
| 1980 | 26 | #3,233 | — | — |
| 1975 | 123 | #995 | — | — |
| 1970 | 72 | #1,435 | — | — |
| 1965 | 18 | #2,950 | — | — |
| 1960 | 27 | #2,252 | — | — |
| 1955 | 36 | #1,740 | — | — |
| 1950 | 10 | #3,458 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Cher
- Cher Singer · b. 1946
- Cher Lloyd Singer · b. 1993
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cher mean?
A short form of the female given name Cherilyn, popularized as a given name by the singer Cher.
How popular is the name Cher in 2025?
Cher 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 Cher?
1,831 babies have been named Cher in the United States since 1948, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cher most popular?
Cher peaked in 1972, when 235 newborns received the name.
Is Cher a boy or girl name?
Cher is used for both: about 94% of babies named Cher have been girls and 6% boys.
Is the name Cher rising or falling?
Cher is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Cher?
Well-known people named Cher include Cher (singer), Cher Lloyd (singer).