La
Every La since 1913 — 1,756 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of La
La 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 1913, 1,756 American babies have been named La — about 82% girls and 18% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1990, when 94 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 La stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
La 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 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | 8 | #9,491 |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | 5 | #13,320 |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | 5 | #13,500 |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | 6 | #16,641 | 5 | #13,546 |
| 2006 | 13 | #9,030 | — | — |
| 2005 | 9 | #11,412 | 5 | #12,544 |
| 2004 | 8 | #12,254 | 6 | #10,780 |
| 2003 | 7 | #13,209 | — | — |
| 2002 | 6 | #14,610 | — | — |
| 2001 | 14 | #7,552 | 8 | #7,998 |
| 2000 | 19 | #5,832 | — | — |
| 1995 | 30 | #3,631 | 13 | #4,681 |
| 1990 | 80 | #1,805 | 14 | #4,101 |
| 1985 | 30 | #3,046 | — | — |
| 1980 | 21 | #3,775 | 8 | #4,752 |
| 1975 | 28 | #2,708 | — | — |
| 1970 | 30 | #2,477 | — | — |
| 1965 | 12 | #3,840 | — | — |
| 1960 | 13 | #3,586 | 7 | #3,510 |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | 8 | #3,365 | — | — |
| 1935 | 11 | #2,650 | — | — |
| 1930 | 10 | #2,951 | — | — |
| 1925 | 6 | #4,696 | — | — |
| 1920 | 5 | #5,365 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named La
- La Malinche Politician · 1502–1529
- La Hire Military personnel · 1390–1443
- La Belle Otero Actor · 1868–1965
- La Voisin Religious figure · 1640–1680
- La Goulue Dancer · 1866–1929
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name La in 2025?
La 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 La?
1,756 babies have been named La in the United States since 1913, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name La most popular?
La peaked in 1990, when 94 newborns received the name.
Is La a boy or girl name?
La is used for both: about 82% of babies named La have been girls and 18% boys.
Is the name La rising or falling?
La has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named La?
Well-known people named La include La Malinche (politician), La Hire (military personnel), La Belle Otero (actor).