Holding steady.
Popularity of Fedora since 1894
Babies named Fedora per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Fedora's real moment was 1894.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 20 |
| 1900s | 10 |
| 1910s | 48 |
| 1920s | 68 |
| 1930s | 17 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 12 |
| 1960s | 7 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 12 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 17 |
| 2010s | 28 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Fedora first appeared in U.S. baby name records in 1894, the same year it reached its peak in usage. Based on Social Security data, it has never ranked among the top 1000 names. The name has a stable trajectory, with very few occurrences each year. Its similarity to the popular hat may have limited its appeal. Despite its rarity, Fedora retains a distinct vintage charm, likely influenced by Sardou's play of the same name.
Fedora likely originated as a short form or variant of Theodora, which is of Greek origin meaning 'gift of God'. It gained independent use in the late 19th century, possibly influenced by the character Fedora in Victorian Sardou's 1882 play 'Fédora'. The name saw brief popularity in the 1890s but has remained rare since.
“Fedora” around the world
Where Fedora lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Feddy, Dora
Sibling names for Fedora
Names that share Fedora's style, for a brother or sister.
