Unknown
Unknown is a girl's name of Unknown origin.
Meaning
Unidentified or not known.
Origin and history
Unknown is a placeholder string used in official databases when a child's given name was not recorded on birth records. In U.S. Social Security data, thousands of female births have been registered under this placeholder over the decades. It does not function as a traditional personal name with an established linguistic meaning.
Popularity in the United States
9,826 babies in the United States have been named Unknown since 1880. It ranks #1667 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1826.
States where it is most popular
- GA (16.6 %)
- AL (12.1 %)
- SC (9.3 %)
- TN (8.8 %)
- OR (8.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 13 |
| 1890-1900 | 45 |
| 1900-1910 | 68 |
| 1910-1920 | 123 |
| 1920-1930 | 96 |
| 1930-1940 | 110 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,224 |
| 1950-1960 | 4,723 |
| 1960-1970 | 507 |
| 1970-1980 | 150 |
| 1980-1990 | 398 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,146 |
| 2000-2010 | 356 |
| 2010-2019 | 592 |
| 2020-2029 | 275 |
Fun facts
- The presence of 'Unknown' in birth databases usually stems from delayed name choices or missing records on birth certificates.