Min
Primarily a boy's name of Chinese origin with 395 recorded births. Also given to 243 girls.
Meaning & Origin
An Ancient Egyptian god of fertility and procreation.
Min is a boy's and girl's baby name of Chinese origin, a common Chinese given name element meaning 'quick,' 'clever,' or 'sharp.' In Chinese, Min (敏) is associated with intelligence and agility, while other characters can mean 'people' (民) or 'bright' (明).
As a standalone given name in the United States, Min appears primarily among Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean American families. In Vietnamese, Min relates to brightness and intelligence — a name of two letters that carries quiet, concentrated meaning.
EtymologyShow more
Min appeared in SSA records in 1971, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Chinese roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 395 recorded births, Min has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Min has 39+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1971.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 42 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 88 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 137 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 107 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 21 | — |
The Story of Min
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1994, Min is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Min are most likely born between 1984 and 2004.
How rare is Min?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Min is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1971, peaked in the 1990s with 137 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Min by the numbers
- Would fill 8 school buses
- Meeting one Min per day would take 1.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(39 years, 1971–2018)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 7 | #10380 |
| 2017 | 8 | #9414 |
| 2016 | 5 | #13548 |
| 2014 | 7 | #10369 |
| 2013 | 9 | #8551 |
| 2011 | 6 | #11794 |
| 2009 | 8 | #9588 |
| 2008 | 5 | #13928 |
| 2007 | 9 | #8683 |
| 2006 | 9 | #8513 |
| 2005 | 11 | #6954 |
| 2004 | 12 | #6390 |
| 2003 | 7 | #9305 |
| 2002 | 11 | #6382 |
| 2001 | 9 | #7314 |
| 2000 | 7 | #8820 |
| 1999 | 17 | #4273 |
| 1998 | 12 | #5362 |
| 1997 | 11 | #5534 |
| 1996 | 14 | #4539 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Min as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Min has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 243 births since 1953.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Min a boy's or girl's name?
When was Min most popular?
How popular is the name Min?
Can Min be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1971–2018