Sung
Primarily a boy's name of Chinese origin with 444 recorded births. Also given to 69 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from Mandarin.
Sung is a boy's and girl's baby name of Chinese origin, a romanization of a Mandarin surname and given name, often written with the character meaning 'to praise' or 'to recite.' The name is used across Chinese and Korean communities with slightly different tonal qualities in each language.
Sung is brief and resonant — a one-syllable name that carries the simplicity and intentionality characteristic of East Asian naming traditions. For Korean American families, it often appears as part of compound names like Sung-Jin or Sung-Ho.
EtymologyShow more
Sung first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1946. Arriving in the 1940s, Sung appeared during a period when American naming was beginning to diversify beyond the traditional Anglo-Saxon and biblical pools.
Its Chinese classification suggests a path from chinese linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Sung has 43+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1946.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 24 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 130 | — |
| 1980s | 139 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 90 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 41 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 12 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 8 | — |
The Story of Sung
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1984, Sung is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Sung are most likely born between 1974 and 1994.
How rare is Sung?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Sung is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1946, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1980s with 139 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Sung by the numbers
- Would fill 9 school buses
- Meeting one Sung per day would take 1.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(43 years, 1946–2006)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 5 | #13756 |
| 2004 | 5 | #12976 |
| 2003 | 7 | #9468 |
| 2001 | 7 | #9110 |
| 1999 | 10 | #6449 |
| 1998 | 9 | #6766 |
| 1997 | 6 | #9117 |
| 1996 | 15 | #4370 |
| 1995 | 14 | #4477 |
| 1994 | 12 | #5074 |
| 1993 | 11 | #5309 |
| 1992 | 17 | #3730 |
| 1991 | 19 | #3306 |
| 1990 | 17 | #3584 |
| 1989 | 19 | #3189 |
| 1988 | 11 | #4418 |
| 1987 | 15 | #3317 |
| 1986 | 14 | #3424 |
| 1985 | 7 | #5693 |
| 1984 | 22 | #2354 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Sung as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Sung has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 69 births since 1950.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sung a boy's or girl's name?
When was Sung most popular?
How popular is the name Sung?
Can Sung be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1946–2006