A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Numa since 1913
Babies named Numa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 58 |
| 1920s | 0 | 58 |
| 1930s | 0 | 20 |
| 1940s | 0 | 6 |
| 1950s | 0 | 10 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 44 | 0 |
| 2010s | 17 | 0 |
| 2020s | 38 | 13 |
Meaning & origin
Numa is an extremely rare name, ranking 12,008th in the U.S. in 2025, with approximately 1 in 341,615 newborns given the name. Its peak usage occurred in 1915, during the 1910s decade, reflecting a brief revival of ancient Roman names in that era. After a long period of obscurity, the name has been rising in usage since 2022, according to trajectory data. Despite its rarity today, Numa carries a heavy classical weight, tied to Numa Pompilius, the legendary second king of Rome known for his religious reforms and peaceful reign. The name's etymology is debated, possibly stemming from a Sabine word for 'good' or the Latin 'numen' (divine presence), making it a distinctive choice with historical depth. Its recent uptick suggests a modest rediscovery among parents seeking unique yet ancient-sounding names.
Numa is most famously associated with Numa Pompilius, the legendary second king of Rome, known for his piety and wisdom. The name may derive from the Sabine word 'numen', meaning 'divine will' or 'authority', though some connect it to the Latin 'Numitor', grandfather of Romulus and Remus. It has been rarely used as a given name in modern times, occasionally appearing in literary works.
“Numa” around the world
Where Numa lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
35
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Numa
Names that share Numa's style, for a brother or sister.
