Little
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 1,573 recorded births. Also given to 218 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A characteristical surname.
Little is a boy's and girl's baby name that was used historically as a given name in the United States, primarily in the 19th and early 20th centuries when surnames and descriptive words were sometimes bestowed as first names.
Little carries the quirky charm of American frontier and rural naming traditions, where families occasionally gave unusual or evocative names. It's a genuine rarity — so unexpected it becomes unforgettable.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Little belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, approachable ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Old English naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Old English names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Little’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Little has 101+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1883.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 10 | #13372 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 14 | #9225 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 95 | #5735 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 145 | #3230 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 248 | #1961 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 210 | #1811 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 167 | #2064 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 161 | #1885 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 140 | #2095 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 199 | #1793 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 124 | #1874 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 25 | #1235 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 20 | #1005 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 15 | #1031 | — |
The Story of Little
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1975, Little is a Gen X staple. Boys named Little are most likely born between 1965 and 1985.
How rare is Little?
With 1,573 total births on record, Little remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1883, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1970s with 248 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Little by the numbers
- Would fill 33 school buses
- Meeting one Little per day would take 4.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(101 years, 1883–2017)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 5 | #13479 |
| 2015 | 5 | #13264 |
| 2004 | 8 | #8614 |
| 2000 | 6 | #9835 |
| 1998 | 7 | #8108 |
| 1997 | 8 | #7014 |
| 1996 | 13 | #4784 |
| 1995 | 15 | #4185 |
| 1994 | 10 | #5728 |
| 1993 | 8 | #6598 |
| 1992 | 15 | #4031 |
| 1991 | 8 | #6288 |
| 1990 | 11 | #4876 |
| 1989 | 17 | #3395 |
| 1988 | 8 | #5516 |
| 1986 | 14 | #3367 |
| 1985 | 13 | #3528 |
| 1984 | 15 | #3044 |
| 1983 | 15 | #3017 |
| 1982 | 22 | #2310 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Little as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Little has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 218 births since 1918.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Little a boy's or girl's name?
When was Little most popular?
How popular is the name Little?
Can Little be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1883–2017