Precious
Every Precious since 1897 — 19,540 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Precious
Precious is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #3,158 in 2025 with 51 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1897, 19,540 American babies have been named Precious. Its peak came in 2001, when 746 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
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 Precious stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Precious 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 | 51 | #3,158 | — | — |
| 2024 | 69 | #2,581 | — | — |
| 2023 | 70 | #2,549 | 6 | #11,911 |
| 2022 | 87 | #2,186 | — | — |
| 2021 | 84 | #2,228 | — | — |
| 2020 | 58 | #2,847 | — | — |
| 2019 | 90 | #2,102 | 6 | #11,789 |
| 2018 | 113 | #1,810 | — | — |
| 2017 | 111 | #1,850 | — | — |
| 2016 | 109 | #1,881 | 6 | #11,793 |
| 2015 | 131 | #1,640 | 5 | #13,553 |
| 2014 | 133 | #1,620 | — | — |
| 2013 | 145 | #1,522 | 5 | #13,578 |
| 2012 | 157 | #1,455 | — | — |
| 2011 | 199 | #1,208 | — | — |
| 2010 | 268 | #957 | — | — |
| 2009 | 367 | #774 | 5 | #13,975 |
| 2008 | 375 | #784 | — | — |
| 2007 | 501 | #601 | — | — |
| 2006 | 534 | #551 | — | — |
| 2005 | 529 | #544 | — | — |
| 2004 | 512 | #560 | 5 | #12,748 |
| 2003 | 553 | #516 | 5 | #12,274 |
| 2002 | 689 | #423 | 7 | #9,147 |
| 2001 | 746 | #392 | — | — |
| 2000 | 648 | #436 | — | — |
| 1995 | 620 | #415 | — | — |
| 1990 | 547 | #452 | 8 | #6,265 |
| 1985 | 377 | #530 | — | — |
| 1980 | 249 | #692 | 7 | #5,364 |
| 1975 | 106 | #1,107 | — | — |
| 1970 | 59 | #1,615 | — | — |
| 1965 | 37 | #1,906 | — | — |
| 1960 | 21 | #2,704 | — | — |
| 1955 | 18 | #2,698 | — | — |
| 1950 | 21 | #2,174 | — | — |
| 1945 | 14 | #2,426 | — | — |
| 1940 | 9 | #3,161 | — | — |
| 1935 | 9 | #3,112 | — | — |
| 1930 | 8 | #3,597 | — | — |
| 1925 | 23 | #1,836 | 5 | #4,743 |
| 1920 | 25 | #1,695 | — | — |
| 1915 | 10 | #2,860 | — | — |
| 1910 | 13 | #1,321 | — | — |
| 1905 | 5 | #2,171 | — | — |
| 1900 | 6 | #1,885 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Precious in 2025?
Precious ranked #3,158 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 51 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Precious?
19,540 babies have been named Precious in the United States since 1897, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Precious most popular?
Precious peaked in 2001, when 746 newborns received the name.
Is Precious a boy or girl name?
Precious is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Precious rising or falling?
Precious is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.