Minerva
Every Minerva since 1880 — 15,823 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Minerva
Minerva is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #2,112 in 2025 with 89 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 15,823 American babies have been named Minerva. Its peak came in 1955, when 221 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 Minerva stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Minerva year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 89 | #2,112 |
| 2024 | 74 | #2,452 |
| 2023 | 93 | #2,086 |
| 2022 | 83 | #2,270 |
| 2021 | 84 | #2,226 |
| 2020 | 69 | #2,519 |
| 2019 | 84 | #2,214 |
| 2018 | 82 | #2,250 |
| 2017 | 68 | #2,591 |
| 2016 | 65 | #2,687 |
| 2015 | 51 | #3,242 |
| 2014 | 47 | #3,403 |
| 2013 | 46 | #3,445 |
| 2012 | 39 | #3,969 |
| 2011 | 38 | #3,985 |
| 2010 | 37 | #4,086 |
| 2009 | 41 | #3,847 |
| 2008 | 48 | #3,459 |
| 2007 | 72 | #2,590 |
| 2006 | 65 | #2,749 |
| 2005 | 59 | #2,815 |
| 2004 | 58 | #2,798 |
| 2003 | 61 | #2,631 |
| 2002 | 55 | #2,767 |
| 2001 | 45 | #3,127 |
| 2000 | 51 | #2,847 |
| 1995 | 61 | #2,208 |
| 1990 | 90 | #1,653 |
| 1985 | 82 | #1,503 |
| 1980 | 97 | #1,314 |
| 1975 | 100 | #1,159 |
| 1970 | 127 | #987 |
| 1965 | 154 | #797 |
| 1960 | 206 | #712 |
| 1955 | 221 | #625 |
| 1950 | 144 | #716 |
| 1945 | 112 | #706 |
| 1940 | 105 | #678 |
| 1935 | 101 | #657 |
| 1930 | 157 | #543 |
| 1925 | 185 | #522 |
| 1920 | 204 | #479 |
| 1915 | 205 | #424 |
| 1910 | 100 | #396 |
| 1905 | 88 | #360 |
| 1900 | 101 | #336 |
| 1895 | 75 | #333 |
| 1890 | 89 | #267 |
| 1885 | 77 | #225 |
| 1880 | 63 | #194 |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Minerva in 2025?
Minerva ranked #2,112 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 89 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Minerva?
15,823 babies have been named Minerva in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Minerva most popular?
Minerva peaked in 1955, when 221 newborns received the name.
Is Minerva a boy or girl name?
Minerva is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Minerva rising or falling?
Minerva is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.