Innocence
A girl's name of Latin origin with 116 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Absence of responsibility for a crime, tort, etc.
Innocence is a girl's baby name of Latin origin, from the Latin innocentia meaning 'innocence, harmlessness, blamelessness.' The virtue name Innocent was borne by thirteen popes, making it one of the most papally significant names in Catholic history.
Innocence as a girl's name follows the tradition of abstract virtue names like Faith, Hope, and Clarity. It is an extraordinarily rare choice — bold in its purity, carrying the most tender aspiration any parent could have for a child.
EtymologyShow more
Innocence appeared in SSA records in 2001, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly draw from global cultures, invent new names, and blend sounds to create something entirely original. Its Latin roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 116 recorded births, Innocence has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Innocence has 15+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2001.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 14 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 52 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 50 | — |
The Story of Innocence
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2007, Innocence is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Innocence are most likely born between 2001 and 2017.
How rare is Innocence?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Innocence is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2001, peaked in the 2010s with 52 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Innocence by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(15 years, 2001–2022)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 7 | #12743 |
| 2021 | 7 | #12706 |
| 2019 | 6 | #14478 |
| 2018 | 9 | #10897 |
| 2017 | 6 | #14813 |
| 2016 | 9 | #11215 |
| 2014 | 8 | #12356 |
| 2012 | 5 | #17874 |
| 2010 | 9 | #11627 |
| 2009 | 6 | #15973 |
| 2008 | 9 | #11970 |
| 2007 | 15 | #8247 |
| 2006 | 7 | #14136 |
| 2005 | 8 | #12265 |
| 2001 | 5 | #16291 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Innocence a boy's or girl's name?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2001–2022