Rainbow
A girl's name of Old English origin with 588 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A member of the Rainbow Guides, a Girl Guide movement for younger girls.
Rainbow is a girl's baby name of Old English origin, derived from the natural phenomenon of colored light arcing across the sky after rain — long associated with hope, promise, and divine covenant. The name carries the spirit of the 1960s and 1970s counterculture, when nature names flourished, and has seen a gentle revival among parents who favor whimsical, optimistic names with an unmistakably joyful character.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Rainbow is a girl's name with several decades of recorded use (1971–2024). Its Old English roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Rainbow is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #9392), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Rainbow has 45+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1971.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 93 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 151 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 54 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 48 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 130 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 112 | — |
The Story of Rainbow
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1980, Rainbow is a Gen X staple. Girls named Rainbow are most likely born between 1971 and 1990.
How rare is Rainbow?
Only about 1 in every 327,273 babies born in 2024 was named Rainbow — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1971, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2010s with 151 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Rainbow by the numbers
- Would fill 12 school buses
- Meeting one Rainbow per day would take 1.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(45 years, 1971–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | #9392 |
| 2023 | 20 | #6105 |
| 2022 | 18 | #6647 |
| 2021 | 21 | #5899 |
| 2020 | 23 | #5452 |
| 2019 | 25 | #5282 |
| 2018 | 25 | #5290 |
| 2017 | 19 | #6477 |
| 2016 | 15 | #7896 |
| 2015 | 13 | #8838 |
| 2014 | 10 | #10763 |
| 2013 | 16 | #7670 |
| 2012 | 7 | #14652 |
| 2011 | 10 | #11003 |
| 2010 | 11 | #10306 |
| 2009 | 8 | #13404 |
| 2008 | 7 | #15033 |
| 2003 | 10 | #10256 |
| 2002 | 7 | #13296 |
| 2001 | 11 | #9215 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rainbow a boy's or girl's name?
When was Rainbow most popular?
How popular is the name Rainbow?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1971–2024