Mingo
A boy's name of Spanish origin with 265 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A nearly extinct polysynthetic language of the Northern Iroquoian language family.
Mingo is a boy's baby name of Spanish origin, a Spanish short form of Domingo, from the Latin Dominicus, meaning 'of the Lord, belonging to God.' Domingo has been a popular name in Spanish-speaking Catholic communities for centuries, and Mingo is its traditional informal diminutive, still used particularly in Latin American communities.
Mingo also has Iroquoian linguistic connections through the Mingo people — giving the name a complex, cross-cultural American heritage alongside its Spanish Catholic roots.
EtymologyShow more
Though Mingo dates back to 1915 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Spanish classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 265 recorded births, Mingo has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Mingo has 40+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1915.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 15 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 11 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 10 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 66 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 41 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 21 | — |
| 1940s | 21 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 17 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 35 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 28 | — |
The Story of Mingo
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1920, Mingo is a name steeped in history. Boys named Mingo are most likely born between 1915 and 1930.
How rare is Mingo?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Mingo is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1915, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1970s with 66 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Mingo by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(40 years, 1915–2008)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 | #13929 |
| 2007 | 5 | #13741 |
| 2005 | 5 | #12717 |
| 1998 | 5 | #10752 |
| 1993 | 6 | #8338 |
| 1989 | 5 | #8803 |
| 1981 | 5 | #6940 |
| 1979 | 8 | #4696 |
| 1978 | 10 | #3764 |
| 1977 | 9 | #4058 |
| 1976 | 6 | #5380 |
| 1975 | 12 | #3180 |
| 1974 | 5 | #5738 |
| 1973 | 11 | #3156 |
| 1971 | 5 | #5404 |
| 1968 | 12 | #2539 |
| 1967 | 6 | #3838 |
| 1966 | 5 | #4334 |
| 1965 | 7 | #3456 |
| 1964 | 5 | #4431 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mingo a boy's or girl's name?
When was Mingo most popular?
How popular is the name Mingo?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1915–2008