Cherokee
Every Cherokee since 1920 — 2,909 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cherokee
Cherokee is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #13,556 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1920, 2,909 American babies have been named Cherokee — about 88% girls and 12% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1995, when 174 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 Cherokee stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cherokee 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 | 6 | #13,556 | — | — |
| 2024 | 13 | #8,056 | — | — |
| 2023 | 16 | #6,999 | — | — |
| 2022 | 13 | #8,134 | — | — |
| 2021 | 27 | #4,866 | — | — |
| 2020 | 26 | #4,912 | — | — |
| 2019 | 20 | #6,028 | — | — |
| 2018 | 33 | #4,255 | — | — |
| 2017 | 31 | #4,503 | 5 | #12,629 |
| 2016 | 44 | #3,534 | — | — |
| 2015 | 30 | #4,616 | 5 | #12,406 |
| 2014 | 30 | #4,681 | — | — |
| 2013 | 19 | #6,524 | — | — |
| 2012 | 30 | #4,742 | — | — |
| 2011 | 39 | #3,854 | — | — |
| 2010 | 26 | #5,273 | 7 | #9,873 |
| 2009 | 25 | #5,575 | 6 | #11,240 |
| 2008 | 40 | #3,951 | 7 | #10,044 |
| 2007 | 42 | #3,800 | — | — |
| 2006 | 51 | #3,231 | 5 | #12,362 |
| 2005 | 54 | #2,974 | 7 | #9,290 |
| 2004 | 82 | #2,179 | 6 | #10,178 |
| 2003 | 82 | #2,130 | 11 | #6,325 |
| 2002 | 89 | #1,969 | 13 | #5,451 |
| 2001 | 91 | #1,905 | 17 | #4,510 |
| 2000 | 118 | #1,534 | 19 | #4,082 |
| 1995 | 134 | #1,262 | 40 | #2,059 |
| 1990 | 40 | #2,864 | — | — |
| 1985 | 20 | #4,005 | — | — |
| 1980 | 14 | #5,021 | — | — |
| 1975 | 18 | #3,657 | 5 | #5,600 |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | 7 | #4,812 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | 5 | #5,106 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Cherokee in 2025?
Cherokee ranked #13,556 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Cherokee?
2,909 babies have been named Cherokee in the United States since 1920, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cherokee most popular?
Cherokee peaked in 1995, when 174 newborns received the name.
Is Cherokee a boy or girl name?
Cherokee is used for both: about 88% of babies named Cherokee have been girls and 12% boys.
Is the name Cherokee rising or falling?
Cherokee is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.