Tesla
Every Tesla since 1985 — 2,687 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Tesla
Tesla 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 1985, 2,687 American babies have been named Tesla. Its peak came in 2016, when 180 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
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 Tesla stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Tesla 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 | 13 | #8,451 | — | — |
| 2022 | 19 | #6,446 | — | — |
| 2021 | 29 | #4,711 | — | — |
| 2020 | 50 | #3,177 | 7 | #10,487 |
| 2019 | 74 | #2,426 | 6 | #11,988 |
| 2018 | 104 | #1,924 | 7 | #10,627 |
| 2017 | 134 | #1,624 | 11 | #7,494 |
| 2016 | 162 | #1,433 | 18 | #5,292 |
| 2015 | 167 | #1,403 | 6 | #11,940 |
| 2014 | 113 | #1,817 | 9 | #8,720 |
| 2013 | 135 | #1,596 | 14 | #6,205 |
| 2012 | 100 | #1,971 | 5 | #14,004 |
| 2011 | 70 | #2,587 | 10 | #8,002 |
| 2010 | 59 | #2,936 | — | — |
| 2009 | 61 | #2,888 | 5 | #14,291 |
| 2008 | 39 | #4,080 | — | — |
| 2007 | 33 | #4,559 | — | — |
| 2006 | 32 | #4,563 | — | — |
| 2005 | 28 | #4,818 | — | — |
| 2004 | 34 | #4,163 | — | — |
| 2003 | 23 | #5,405 | — | — |
| 2002 | 35 | #3,802 | — | — |
| 2001 | 36 | #3,701 | — | — |
| 2000 | 36 | #3,655 | — | — |
| 1995 | 95 | #1,596 | — | — |
| 1990 | 107 | #1,466 | — | — |
| 1985 | 5 | #12,348 | — | — |
| 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 Tesla in 2025?
Tesla 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 Tesla?
2,687 babies have been named Tesla in the United States since 1985, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Tesla most popular?
Tesla peaked in 2016, when 180 newborns received the name.
Is Tesla a boy or girl name?
Tesla is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 96% of babies with the name.
Is the name Tesla rising or falling?
Tesla is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.