Declining since 2004, #1,186 for girls today.
Popularity of Liberty since 1912
Babies named Liberty per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 238 |
| 1920s | 96 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 14 |
| 1950s | 10 |
| 1960s | 46 |
| 1970s | 809 |
| 1980s | 520 |
| 1990s | 939 |
| 2000s | 5,149 |
| 2010s | 5,365 |
| 2020s | 2,064 |
Meaning & origin
Liberty is an abstract virtue name meaning 'freedom,' adopted in English-speaking countries since the 18th century. Its popularity in the United States has risen and fallen with patriotic and social movements. The name first appeared on the U.S. Social Security Administration records in 1912, and it reached its peak rank of #72 in 2004, when 1 in 3082 girls were named Liberty that year. Since that peak, its usage has been steadily falling as a given name. As of 2025, it ranks #1186, with roughly 1 in 8242 newborns given the name. Liberty's top states by usage are Idaho, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, which suggests a particular favor in the South and mountain states. The name reflects a blend of classic noun-name style and strong symbolism.
Liberty derives directly from the English word 'liberty,' meaning freedom, which entered Middle English via Old French 'liberte' and Latin 'libertas.' The name was adopted in the 18th century as an abstract virtue name, particularly in colonial America, and saw a notable surge in the 1970s on the heels of the women's liberation movement and the U.S. bicentennial in 1976.
Where Liberty 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: Libby, Bertie
Sibling names for Liberty
Names that share Liberty's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Liberty
Names whose popularity has moved with Liberty's over the last 50 years.
