Minor
Primarily a boy's name of Latin origin with 1,728 recorded births. Also given to 12 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Minor is a boy's and girl's baby name of Latin origin, from the Latin minor meaning 'lesser' or 'younger.' Used as a given name in the American South in the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was often given to a younger son, carrying the sense of the junior with quiet, understated dignity.
EtymologyShow more
Minor is cataloged under the Latin naming tradition. Latin-origin names have been a backbone of Western naming for centuries, carried forward through the Roman Empire, the Catholic Church, and the Romance languages.
In the U.S., Minor has been recorded as a boy's name since 1880, with 1,728 total births. Browse the Latin names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Minor has 113+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 22 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 53 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 28 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 21 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 65 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 87 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 133 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 203 | — |
| 1930s | 206 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 333 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 274 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 79 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 95 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 129 | — |
The Story of Minor
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1920, Minor is a name steeped in history. Boys named Minor are most likely born between 1910 and 1930.
How rare is Minor?
With 1,728 total births on record, Minor remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 333 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Minor by the numbers
- Would fill 36 school buses
- Meeting one Minor per day would take 4.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(113 years, 1880–2015)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 5 | #13398 |
| 2014 | 6 | #11673 |
| 2013 | 6 | #11699 |
| 2010 | 5 | #13611 |
| 2008 | 5 | #13930 |
| 2007 | 9 | #8685 |
| 2006 | 10 | #7819 |
| 2005 | 9 | #8091 |
| 2003 | 6 | #10445 |
| 2002 | 7 | #9081 |
| 2000 | 7 | #8821 |
| 1996 | 6 | #8641 |
| 1995 | 6 | #8519 |
| 1992 | 8 | #6496 |
| 1991 | 8 | #6326 |
| 1987 | 5 | #7749 |
| 1984 | 5 | #6989 |
| 1983 | 6 | #5979 |
| 1982 | 5 | #7026 |
| 1978 | 9 | #4055 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Minor as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Minor has also been given to 12 girls in the U.S. since 1923.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Minor a boy's or girl's name?
When was Minor most popular?
How popular is the name Minor?
Can Minor be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2015