Nation
Every Nation since 1997 — 499 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nation
Nation is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #4,652 in 2025 with 22 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1997, 499 American babies have been named Nation — about 85% boys and 15% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2020, when 52 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Nation stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nation 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 | 7 | #12,802 | 22 | #4,652 |
| 2024 | — | — | 21 | #4,829 |
| 2023 | — | — | 24 | #4,426 |
| 2022 | 12 | #8,899 | 29 | #3,840 |
| 2021 | 5 | #16,964 | 44 | #2,848 |
| 2020 | 10 | #10,060 | 42 | #2,872 |
| 2019 | 11 | #9,568 | 25 | #4,196 |
| 2018 | 8 | #12,167 | 18 | #5,250 |
| 2017 | 6 | #15,395 | 19 | #5,055 |
| 2016 | 5 | #18,082 | 17 | #5,479 |
| 2015 | 6 | #15,860 | 7 | #10,293 |
| 2014 | — | — | 17 | #5,412 |
| 2013 | — | — | 16 | #5,565 |
| 2012 | — | — | 6 | #11,817 |
| 2011 | — | — | 11 | #7,354 |
| 2010 | — | — | 8 | #9,407 |
| 2009 | — | — | 16 | #5,733 |
| 2008 | — | — | 11 | #7,560 |
| 2007 | — | — | 13 | #6,508 |
| 2006 | — | — | 12 | #6,777 |
| 2005 | — | — | 9 | #8,104 |
| 2004 | — | — | 8 | #8,693 |
| 2003 | — | — | 13 | #5,781 |
| 2002 | 5 | #17,334 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | 5 | #11,622 |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Nation in 2025?
Nation ranked #4,652 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 22 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nation?
499 babies have been named Nation in the United States since 1997, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nation most popular?
Nation peaked in 2020, when 52 newborns received the name.
Is Nation a boy or girl name?
Nation is used for both: about 15% of babies named Nation have been girls and 85% boys.
Is the name Nation rising or falling?
Nation is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.