A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Agatha since 1880
Babies named Agatha per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Agatha's real moment was 1899.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 212 |
| 1890s | 468 |
| 1900s | 623 |
| 1910s | 1,654 |
| 1920s | 1,624 |
| 1930s | 884 |
| 1940s | 609 |
| 1950s | 508 |
| 1960s | 324 |
| 1970s | 246 |
| 1980s | 314 |
| 1990s | 235 |
| 2000s | 362 |
| 2010s | 716 |
| 2020s | 712 |
Meaning & origin
Agatha enjoyed its peak popularity in 1899, when it ranked highest on U.S. records. After a long decline, the name has been slowly rising again since 1995, appealing to parents seeking a classic, saintly name with vintage charm. In 2025, it ranked 1,703rd, with about 1 in 13,394 newborn girls receiving the name. Its revival is most notable in states like Massachusetts, Washington, and Pennsylvania, where traditional names often see renewed interest. Agatha carries the strong legacy of Saint Agatha, and its resurgence fits a broader trend of rediscovering 19th-century favorites.
Derived from the Greek word 'agathos', meaning 'good'. The name was borne by Saint Agatha, a 3rd-century Christian martyr, which helped spread its use across Europe. It was common in England during the Middle Ages but declined after the Protestant Reformation, experiencing a revival in the 19th century.
Where Agatha is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Agatha” around the world
Where Agatha lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
35
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Aggie, Aga
Variants: Agata
Sibling names for Agatha
Names that share Agatha's style, for a brother or sister.
