Costa
A boy's name of Italian origin with 325 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from the Romance languages. A surname from Italian. A surname from Galician. A surname from French. A surname from Occitan. A surname from Spanish. A Catalonian surname from Catalan. A surname from Portuguese.
Costa is a boy's baby name of Italian and Portuguese origin, from the word costa, meaning 'coast, shore, rib.' As a surname turned given name, it carries the sun-drenched warmth of Mediterranean coastlines and the rich heritage of Iberian and Italian families.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Costa is a boy's name with over a century of recorded use (1916–2024). Its Italian roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Costa is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #5465), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Costa has 45+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1916.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 66 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 65 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 23 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 6 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 31 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 10 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 22 | — |
| 1940s | 23 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 17 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 44 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 13 | — |
The Story of Costa
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2021, Costa is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Costa are most likely born between 2011 and 2024.
How rare is Costa?
Only about 1 in every 211,765 babies born in 2024 was named Costa — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1916, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2020s with 66 births that decade.
Costa by the numbers
- Would fill 7 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(45 years, 1916–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 | #5465 |
| 2023 | 8 | #9077 |
| 2022 | 11 | #7359 |
| 2021 | 18 | #5155 |
| 2020 | 12 | #6706 |
| 2019 | 8 | #9060 |
| 2018 | 5 | #12547 |
| 2017 | 5 | #12668 |
| 2016 | 7 | #9877 |
| 2015 | 15 | #5790 |
| 2014 | 7 | #9850 |
| 2013 | 7 | #9855 |
| 2012 | 6 | #11071 |
| 2011 | 5 | #12658 |
| 2009 | 9 | #8430 |
| 2006 | 6 | #10929 |
| 2003 | 8 | #7993 |
| 1999 | 5 | #10198 |
| 1982 | 6 | #5779 |
| 1979 | 6 | #5486 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Costa a boy's or girl's name?
When was Costa most popular?
How popular is the name Costa?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1916–2024