Declining since 2022, #4,707 for boys today.
Popularity of Nero since 1914
Babies named Nero per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 36 |
| 1920s | 29 |
| 1930s | 18 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 15 |
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 12 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 35 |
| 2010s | 205 |
| 2020s | 161 |
Meaning & origin
Nero is a name of Latin origin, famously borne by the first-century Roman emperor. Despite its historical weight, the name has seen modest use in the United States since the early 20th century. According to Social Security data, Nero first appeared on the U.S. naming record in 1914. Its peak popularity came in 2023, when it ranked highest, but since 2022 the name has been declining in use. In 2025, it ranked 4707th, with an estimated 1 in 81,337 newborns receiving the name. The name is almost exclusively given to boys. While Nero has not reached the top states list, its trajectory suggests a small but steady niche presence, perhaps drawn to its classical roots or its strong, concise sound.
Nero is a Roman cognomen of uncertain etymology. It may derive from the Latin 'niger' meaning 'black', or from a Sabine word meaning 'strong' or 'vigorous'. The name is most famously borne by the Roman emperor Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, who ruled from 54 to 68 AD. Despite its historical association, the name has seen occasional modern use, particularly in the United States since the early 20th century.
Sibling names for Nero
Names that share Nero's style, for a brother or sister.
