Santa
Santa is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Holy or saintly.
Origin and history
Santa is a feminine name of Latin origin meaning 'saint' or 'holy'. While historically used in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese-speaking cultures, it is rare in the United States, often associated with holiday themes or Saint-related places. SSA data shows consistent but low usage in the U.S. over the past century.
Popularity in the United States
4,370 babies in the United States have been named Santa since 1880. It ranks #2657 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2027.
States where it is most popular
- NY (49.8 %)
- TX (26.8 %)
- CA (6.4 %)
- PA (4.6 %)
- NJ (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 12 |
| 1900-1910 | 88 |
| 1910-1920 | 556 |
| 1920-1930 | 735 |
| 1930-1940 | 453 |
| 1940-1950 | 381 |
| 1950-1960 | 477 |
| 1960-1970 | 453 |
| 1970-1980 | 439 |
| 1980-1990 | 276 |
| 1990-2000 | 216 |
| 2000-2010 | 113 |
| 2010-2019 | 97 |
| 2020-2029 | 74 |
Fun facts
- Santa is the feminine form of the Latin word 'sanctus', meaning sacred or holy.
- It is frequently found as a given name in Southern Italian and Latin American tradition, often connected to devotion to saints.