Declining since 1998, #8,860 for girls today.
Popularity of Nautica since 1992
Babies named Nautica per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 991 |
| 2000s | 957 |
| 2010s | 223 |
| 2020s | 69 |
Meaning & origin
Nautica is a modern American coinage that emerged in the early 1990s, first recorded in 1992. Its peak popularity came in 1999, when it ranked highest among U.S. births. Since 1998, its usage has been steadily declining; by 2025, it ranked 8,860 and was given to approximately 1 in 146,115 girls. The name's rise coincides with the success of the Nautica apparel brand, though it has not had a strong presence in any particular state. Nautica remains a rare but recognizable choice associated with a nautical theme.
Nautica is a modern coinage, likely inspired by the English adjective 'nautical' (from Greek 'nautikos,' meaning 'of sailing'). It emerged as a given name in the United States in the early 1990s, possibly influenced by the Nautica clothing and lifestyle brand, which launched in 1983. The name has no historical or traditional roots before its modern adoption.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nauti, Tica
Sibling names for Nautica
Names that share Nautica's style, for a brother or sister.
