Empress
A girl's name of Old French origin with 1,668 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
The title of an empress.
Empress is a girl's baby name of Old French origin, from the Old French empereris, from the Latin imperatrix, meaning 'female emperor, ruler.' It is the feminine equivalent of Emperor — the highest royal title in the world.
Empress is one of the boldest name choices possible — giving a daughter a title that outranks Queen takes considerable confidence. With over 1,600 U.S. births it has proven that some parents embrace that boldness completely, and the name carries a genuine, undeniable power.
EtymologyShow more
Empress first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1986. First appearing in the 1980s, Empress emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its Old French classification suggests a path from old french linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Empress climbed 5932 spots in the last 20 years — from #7961 to #2029.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 586 | #1764 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 733 | #2954 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 230 | #5964 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 109 | #8982 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 10 | #12235 | — |
The Story of Empress
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2019, Empress is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Empress are most likely born between 2009 and 2024.
How rare is Empress?
Only about 1 in every 37,500 babies born in 2024 was named Empress — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1986, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 733 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Empress by the numbers
- Would fill 35 school buses
- Meeting one Empress per day would take 4.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(37 years, 1986–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 96 | #2029 |
| 2023 | 115 | #1774 |
| 2022 | 119 | #1745 |
| 2021 | 122 | #1699 |
| 2020 | 134 | #1573 |
| 2019 | 157 | #1423 |
| 2018 | 107 | #1878 |
| 2017 | 108 | #1879 |
| 2016 | 97 | #2039 |
| 2015 | 67 | #2660 |
| 2014 | 53 | #3121 |
| 2013 | 37 | #4027 |
| 2012 | 38 | #4009 |
| 2011 | 34 | #4281 |
| 2010 | 35 | #4225 |
| 2009 | 34 | #4398 |
| 2008 | 37 | #4208 |
| 2007 | 26 | #5419 |
| 2006 | 24 | #5595 |
| 2005 | 15 | #7626 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Empress a boy's or girl's name?
When was Empress most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1986–2024