Declining since 2014, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Providence since 1905
Babies named Providence per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Providence's real moment was 1910.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 16 |
| 1910s | 136 |
| 1920s | 156 |
| 1930s | 103 |
| 1940s | 59 |
| 1950s | 25 |
| 1960s | 16 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 68 |
| 2010s | 102 |
| 2020s | 43 |
Meaning & origin
Providence is an exceedingly rare virtue name with deep Puritan roots. First recorded in the U.S. in 1905, it saw modest early use peaking in 1910 but has since become a rarity, with a trajectory showing declining usage since 2014. In 2025, it ranked 10,917th nationally, with approximately 1 in every 200,908 newborns receiving the name. Its appeal lies in its strong religious meaning and historical connection to the founding of Providence, Rhode Island. Despite its rarity, the name carries a dignified, old-fashioned charm that may attract parents seeking a distinctive choice with spiritual significance.
Providence derives from the Latin 'providentia' (foresight, care), adopted into English via Old French. As a given name, it emerged among Puritans in the 17th century as a virtue name expressing faith in God's plan. Its use as a place name for the Rhode Island capital, founded by Roger Williams in 1636, reinforced its occasional adoption as a personal name.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Provi, Vidence, Denny
Sibling names for Providence
Names that share Providence's style, for a brother or sister.
