Holding steady.
Popularity of Other since 1909
Babies named Other per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Other's real moment was 1909.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 6 |
| 1910s | 81 |
| 1920s | 77 |
| 1930s | 26 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
The name "Other" is an anomaly in the landscape of given names, appearing in U.S. Social Security records primarily as a statistical catch-all. Its first recorded use was in 1909, which also marks its peak year. Since then, its trajectory has been stable but negligible, with no rank in recent years and a 1-in-N incidence that is statistically zero. Unlike most entries on this site, "Other" lacks traditional etymological or cultural roots. Its presence in the data reflects the challenges of classifying the vast diversity of human naming practices. The name has no associated top states or popular variants, further underscoring its status as a label rather than a true personal name. For parents seeking a name with meaning and heritage, "Other" may represent a blank slate, but its primary significance is as a reminder of the limits of official categorization.
The name "Other" appears in U.S. Social Security records as a placeholder category for names that do not fit standard classifications. It is not a traditional personal name with etymological roots but rather a bureaucratic label used in data reporting. Its rare usage as a given name likely stems from unconventional naming practices or data entry artifacts.
Sibling names for Other
Names that share Other's style, for a brother or sister.
