Declining since 1985, #3,296 for girls today.
Popularity of Ginger since 1913
Babies named Ginger per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 111 |
| 1920s | 291 |
| 1930s | 1,000 |
| 1940s | 4,194 |
| 1950s | 9,012 |
| 1960s | 11,699 |
| 1970s | 11,780 |
| 1980s | 4,367 |
| 1990s | 1,227 |
| 2000s | 1,393 |
| 2010s | 862 |
| 2020s | 282 |
Meaning & origin
Ginger first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1913, but its greatest popularity came during the mid-20th century. The name reached its peak rank in 1971, and it has been on a downward trend since 1985. In 2025, it ranked 3,296th nationally, with about 1 in every 34,197 baby girls receiving the name. The name was most common in Pennsylvania and California during its peak decades. Historically, Ginger was often used as a nickname for red-haired individuals or as a short form of Virginia. It shares a similar feel with other mid-century names like Lori, Dawn, and Tonya. While less common today, Ginger retains a spunky, retro charm.
Ginger originated as a nickname for redheads, referring to the reddish-brown color of the ginger root spice. The spice name itself comes from Old English 'gingifer' via Latin and Greek, ultimately from Sanskrit 'srngavera' (horn root). As a given name, it gained popularity in the 20th century, especially in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, often used as a diminutive of Virginia or independently.
Where Ginger 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ginny, Ginge
Variants: Gingher
Sibling names for Ginger
Names that share Ginger's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Ginger
Names whose popularity has moved with Ginger's over the last 50 years.
