Cynthia
Every Cynthia since 1880 — 713,412 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cynthia
Cynthia is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,014 in 2025 with 247 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 713,412 American babies have been named Cynthia. Its peak came in 1957, when 39,416 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 Cynthia stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cynthia 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 | 247 | #1,014 | — | — |
| 2024 | 331 | #829 | — | — |
| 2023 | 308 | #872 | — | — |
| 2022 | 315 | #885 | — | — |
| 2021 | 346 | #806 | — | — |
| 2020 | 308 | #873 | — | — |
| 2019 | 378 | #748 | — | — |
| 2018 | 419 | #692 | — | — |
| 2017 | 462 | #636 | — | — |
| 2016 | 552 | #563 | — | — |
| 2015 | 580 | #540 | — | — |
| 2014 | 636 | #492 | — | — |
| 2013 | 601 | #500 | — | — |
| 2012 | 750 | #419 | — | — |
| 2011 | 733 | #428 | — | — |
| 2010 | 835 | #381 | — | — |
| 2009 | 893 | #361 | — | — |
| 2008 | 1,076 | #310 | — | — |
| 2007 | 1,234 | #278 | — | — |
| 2006 | 1,420 | #239 | — | — |
| 2005 | 1,574 | #221 | — | — |
| 2004 | 1,521 | #222 | — | — |
| 2003 | 1,662 | #199 | 5 | #11,224 |
| 2002 | 1,833 | #176 | 6 | #9,608 |
| 2001 | 1,921 | #169 | — | — |
| 2000 | 2,038 | #164 | — | — |
| 1995 | 2,957 | #113 | 12 | #4,854 |
| 1990 | 3,797 | #88 | 26 | #2,562 |
| 1985 | 4,129 | #66 | 30 | #1,923 |
| 1980 | 4,700 | #64 | 21 | #2,380 |
| 1975 | 6,539 | #40 | 36 | #1,481 |
| 1970 | 12,913 | #25 | 53 | #1,134 |
| 1965 | 19,239 | #9 | 61 | #943 |
| 1960 | 26,706 | #9 | 68 | #917 |
| 1955 | 27,178 | #11 | 48 | #1,085 |
| 1950 | 14,447 | #23 | 30 | #1,320 |
| 1945 | 3,127 | #90 | 12 | #2,032 |
| 1940 | 1,882 | #133 | 12 | #2,103 |
| 1935 | 990 | #179 | 9 | #2,571 |
| 1930 | 596 | #256 | — | — |
| 1925 | 340 | #371 | — | — |
| 1920 | 285 | #388 | — | — |
| 1915 | 216 | #405 | — | — |
| 1910 | 86 | #428 | — | — |
| 1905 | 63 | #427 | — | — |
| 1900 | 87 | #360 | — | — |
| 1895 | 58 | #371 | — | — |
| 1890 | 79 | #282 | — | — |
| 1885 | 59 | #259 | — | — |
| 1880 | 61 | #197 | — | — |
Famous people named Cynthia
- Cynthia Lennon Companion · 1939–2015
- Cynthia Nixon Actor · b. 1966
- Cynthia Rothrock Martial arts · b. 1957
- Cynthia Rhodes Actor · b. 1956
- Cynthia McLeod Writer · b. 1936
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Cynthia in 2025?
Cynthia ranked #1,014 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 247 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Cynthia?
713,412 babies have been named Cynthia in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cynthia most popular?
Cynthia peaked in 1957, when 39,416 newborns received the name.
Is Cynthia a boy or girl name?
Cynthia is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cynthia rising or falling?
Cynthia is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Cynthia?
Well-known people named Cynthia include Cynthia Lennon (companion), Cynthia Nixon (actor), Cynthia Rothrock (martial arts).