Holding steady.
Popularity of Ether since 1883
Babies named Ether per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ether's real moment was 1900.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 20 | 0 |
| 1890s | 83 | 0 |
| 1900s | 139 | 0 |
| 1910s | 237 | 16 |
| 1920s | 334 | 27 |
| 1930s | 224 | 10 |
| 1940s | 117 | 0 |
| 1950s | 54 | 0 |
| 1960s | 6 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 18 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Ether is a highly unusual name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1883. Its peak year was 1900, when it saw its highest recorded usage, but it has remained extremely rare ever since. The name never entered the top rankings and has a stable, negligible trajectory. It does not appear among the top names in any state. Given its association with scientific concepts, Ether appeals to parents seeking a distinct, intellectual name, but it has never achieved widespread popularity.
The name Ether appears to be taken directly from the word 'ether', which in physics historically referred to a medium for light propagation and in chemistry denotes a class of compounds. Its adoption as a given name is a modern coinage, likely inspired by the scientific or mystical connotations of the term, rather than a traditional name with ancient roots.
Sibling names for Ether
Names that share Ether's style, for a brother or sister.
