Midnight
Primarily a girl's name of Old English origin with 22 recorded births. Also given to 5 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Midnight reads as a modern invention — a name that emerged in the 2000s and was likely coined by parents looking for something fresh rather than inherited.
The sharp, distinct quality of its ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
Midnight is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Midnight is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from the Old English midniht meaning 'the middle of the night.' As a given name, it evokes mystery, beauty, and the threshold between one day and the next — a name for a child born into the quiet magic of the darkest hour.
EtymologyShow more
Midnight appeared in SSA records in 2005, 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 Old English roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 22 recorded births, Midnight has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Midnight has 3+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2005.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 14 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 8 | — |
The Story of Midnight
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2005, Midnight is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Midnight are most likely born between 2005 and 2015.
How rare is Midnight?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Midnight is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2005, peaked in the 2020s with 14 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(3 years, 2005–2022)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 6 | #14734 |
| 2021 | 8 | #11825 |
| 2005 | 8 | #12628 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Midnight as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Midnight has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 5 births since 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Midnight a boy's or girl's name?
When was Midnight most popular?
How popular is the name Midnight?
Can Midnight be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2005–2022