An uncommon pick — distinctive and rare.
A variable (usually x, y or z) whose value is to be found.
Unknown appears in SSA birth records as a placeholder for births where no name was registered, reflecting the administrative reality that not all newborns receive an official name at the time of birth certificate filing.
Unknown climbed 654 spots in the last 20 years — from #3853 to #3199.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 342 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 789 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 412 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 1,296 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 443 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 196 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 762 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 4,206 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 711 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 64 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 149 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 211 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 98 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 97 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 51 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 38 | #3199 |
| 2023 | 77 | #1997 |
| 2022 | 83 | #1903 |
| 2021 | 84 | #1850 |
| 2020 | 60 | #2286 |
| 2019 | 77 | #1932 |
| 2018 | 85 | #1806 |
| 2017 | 67 | #2089 |
| 2016 | 50 | #2548 |
| 2015 | 60 | #2251 |
| 2014 | 78 | #1882 |
| 2013 | 97 | #1602 |
| 2012 | 99 | #1597 |
| 2011 | 87 | #1716 |
| 2010 | 89 | #1724 |
| 2009 | 113 | #1484 |
| 2008 | 73 | #1967 |
| 2007 | 42 | #2862 |
| 2006 | 25 | #3993 |
| 2005 | 23 | #4052 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Unknown is a true unisex name. As a girl's name, it has 9,775 recorded births since 1886.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology