Cinderella
A girl's name with 908 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A popular fairy tale embodying a classic folk tale myth-element of unjust oppression and triumphant reward.
Cinderella is a girl's baby name of French origin, from Charles Perrault's 1697 fairy tale "Cendrillon," meaning "little ash girl" — "cendre" (cinders, ash) with the diminutive "-illa." The story itself is far older, with versions found across cultures from China to Egypt dating back over a thousand years.
Cinderella is perhaps the most famous girl's name in Western culture that almost nobody actually uses — carrying the full weight of transformation mythology, the idea that hidden worth will eventually be recognized, that midnight is not the end of the story.
EtymologyShow more
Cinderella's linguistic roots are not definitively traced to a single tradition. For names recorded as far back as 1894, the lack of a clear origin label often means the name predates modern naming databases or belongs to a tradition not yet well-cataloged in English-language references.
What the data does show: Cinderella has 908 recorded U.S. births as a girl's name, with its melodic, romantic ending a pattern shared with Italian and French feminine names.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Cinderella was #13058 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #15731, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 26 | #13620 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 34 | #11748 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 52 | #12971 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 27 | #11556 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 22 | #10589 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 31 | #7601 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 99 | #4315 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 162 | #2897 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 107 | #2863 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 71 | #3478 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 158 | #2437 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 88 | #2676 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 19 | #1746 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 12 | #1426 | — |
The Story of Cinderella
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1922, Cinderella is a name steeped in history. Girls named Cinderella are most likely born between 1912 and 1932.
How rare is Cinderella?
Only about 1 in every 720,000 babies born in 2024 was named Cinderella — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1894, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1950s with 162 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Cinderella by the numbers
- Would fill 19 school buses
- Meeting one Cinderella per day would take 2.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(88 years, 1894–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | #15731 |
| 2023 | 9 | #10484 |
| 2022 | 7 | #12521 |
| 2021 | 5 | #15744 |
| 2019 | 7 | #12727 |
| 2018 | 12 | #8721 |
| 2017 | 7 | #13004 |
| 2010 | 8 | #12539 |
| 2008 | 8 | #12847 |
| 2007 | 5 | #18229 |
| 2005 | 9 | #11113 |
| 2004 | 7 | #13058 |
| 2003 | 6 | #14242 |
| 2001 | 8 | #11236 |
| 2000 | 9 | #10070 |
| 1999 | 10 | #8930 |
| 1992 | 6 | #12075 |
| 1991 | 6 | #11812 |
| 1990 | 5 | #13406 |
| 1989 | 5 | #12784 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cinderella a boy's or girl's name?
When was Cinderella most popular?
How popular is the name Cinderella?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1894–2024