Spirit
Primarily a girl's name of Latin origin with 832 recorded births. Also given to 16 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Ellipsis of Holy Spirit.
Spirit is a girl's and boy's baby name of Latin origin, from the Latin spiritus, meaning 'breath,' 'wind,' or 'the spirit.' As a given name, Spirit expresses the most essential, animating force of a person — their energy, their essence, the invisible flame that makes them who they are.
In the tradition of aspirational names like Grace, Faith, and Hope, Spirit carries an undeniable lightness — a name that feels like it was chosen to remind the world of what truly matters.
EtymologyShow more
Spirit is built from 6 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Latin naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Spirit creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Spirit was #3979 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #4637, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 159 | #4570 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 270 | #5317 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 335 | #4992 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 55 | #9738 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 13 | #9144 | — |
The Story of Spirit
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2003, Spirit is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Spirit are most likely born between 1993 and 2013.
How rare is Spirit?
Only about 1 in every 120,000 babies born in 2024 was named Spirit — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1975, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 335 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Spirit by the numbers
- Would fill 17 school buses
- Meeting one Spirit per day would take 2.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(33 years, 1975–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 30 | #4637 |
| 2023 | 41 | #3753 |
| 2022 | 28 | #4887 |
| 2021 | 38 | #3926 |
| 2020 | 22 | #5645 |
| 2019 | 30 | #4643 |
| 2018 | 21 | #5979 |
| 2017 | 26 | #5169 |
| 2016 | 19 | #6638 |
| 2015 | 30 | #4705 |
| 2014 | 36 | #4170 |
| 2013 | 25 | #5465 |
| 2012 | 18 | #7105 |
| 2011 | 26 | #5341 |
| 2010 | 39 | #3950 |
| 2009 | 41 | #3861 |
| 2008 | 36 | #4349 |
| 2007 | 38 | #4121 |
| 2006 | 39 | #3914 |
| 2005 | 40 | #3718 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Spirit as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Spirit has also been given to 16 boys in the U.S. since 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spirit a boy's or girl's name?
When was Spirit most popular?
How popular is the name Spirit?
Can Spirit be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1975–2024