Unisex name · peaked 1917

Oral

Ultimately from Latin Aurelius.

Every Oral since 1880 — 3,308 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.050.10.150.218801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Oral
Peak year
1917
123 babies
All-time total
3,308
since 1880

The story of Oral

Oral 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 1880, 3,308 American babies have been named Oral — about 85% boys and 15% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1917, when 123 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.

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 Oral stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Oral 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
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003 6 #10,513
2002
2001 5 #11,839
2000
1995
1990 6 #7,842
1985 5 #7,299
1980
1975 11 #3,378
1970 10 #3,216
1965 17 #1,975
1960 23 #1,719
1955 56 #1,006
1950 25 #1,489
1945 19 #1,566
1940 28 #1,284
1935 5 #4,734 36 #1,092
1930 44 #1,046
1925 13 #2,738 63 #841
1920 24 #1,739 84 #710
1915 22 #1,606 83 #639
1910 7 #2,085 22 #632
1905 7 #1,655 16 #609
1900 13 #1,092 15 #671
1895 6 #1,550 13 #596
1890 12 #592
1885
1880 8 #725

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Oral mean?

Ultimately from Latin Aurelius.

How popular is the name Oral in 2025?

Oral 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 Oral?

3,308 babies have been named Oral in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Oral most popular?

Oral peaked in 1917, when 123 newborns received the name.

Is Oral a boy or girl name?

Oral is used for both: about 15% of babies named Oral have been girls and 85% boys.

Is the name Oral rising or falling?

Oral has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Oral

Compare Oral with similar names →