Moon
Primarily a girl's name of Old English origin with 413 recorded births. Also given to 149 boys.
Meaning & Origin
The Earth's moon; the sole natural satellite of the Earth, represented in astronomy and astrology by ☾.
Moon is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old English origin, from the Proto-Germanic *mēnô, meaning simply 'moon' — the Earth's satellite long associated with femininity, mystery, and the rhythms of the tides.
Moon has been embraced by creative parents across generations: Moon Unit Zappa (Frank Zappa's daughter, born 1964) helped establish it as a bold artistic statement. Short, evocative, and deeply poetic — it's a nature name with a celestial soul.
EtymologyShow more
Moon is built from 4 letters and one syllable — a compact structure that favors quick recognition and easy recall. Within the Old English naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Moon creates its characteristic solid, balanced quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Moon has 22+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1972.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 248 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 108 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 24 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 11 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 22 | — |
The Story of Moon
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2022, Moon is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Moon are most likely born between 2012 and 2024.
How rare is Moon?
Only about 1 in every 76,596 babies born in 2024 was named Moon — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1972, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2020s with 248 births that decade.
Moon by the numbers
- Would fill 9 school buses
- Meeting one Moon per day would take 1.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(22 years, 1972–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 47 | #3355 |
| 2023 | 53 | #3124 |
| 2022 | 73 | #2483 |
| 2021 | 47 | #3376 |
| 2020 | 28 | #4717 |
| 2019 | 25 | #5265 |
| 2018 | 30 | #4636 |
| 2017 | 22 | #5768 |
| 2016 | 7 | #13904 |
| 2015 | 8 | #12649 |
| 2014 | 8 | #12727 |
| 2013 | 8 | #12796 |
| 2009 | 6 | #16615 |
| 2005 | 5 | #18317 |
| 2001 | 6 | #14776 |
| 2000 | 7 | #12711 |
| 1987 | 6 | #10782 |
| 1983 | 5 | #11393 |
| 1979 | 5 | #11326 |
| 1977 | 5 | #10686 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Moon as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Moon has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 149 births since 1995.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moon a boy's or girl's name?
When was Moon most popular?
How popular is the name Moon?
Can Moon be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1972–2024