Rising since 1989, #763 for boys today.
Popularity of Santos since 1880
Babies named Santos per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 21 | 10 |
| 1890s | 37 | 10 |
| 1900s | 122 | 128 |
| 1910s | 325 | 397 |
| 1920s | 676 | 1,047 |
| 1930s | 384 | 843 |
| 1940s | 439 | 1,137 |
| 1950s | 240 | 1,351 |
| 1960s | 133 | 1,526 |
| 1970s | 156 | 1,750 |
| 1980s | 108 | 1,856 |
| 1990s | 64 | 2,158 |
| 2000s | 54 | 2,613 |
| 2010s | 0 | 2,245 |
| 2020s | 0 | 1,743 |
Meaning & origin
Santos is a Spanish and Portuguese name with deep religious roots, meaning 'saints'. It has been in use since at least 1880, the earliest year of Social Security data. The name has seen a steady rise in popularity since 1989 and reached its peak rank in 2025 at 763, with a 1-in-5,068 incidence among newborn boys. Santos is most common in states with large Hispanic populations, including New Mexico, Nevada, and Nebraska. The name's trajectory reflects a broader trend of cultural pride among Spanish-speaking communities in the United States, as traditional names like Santos gain renewed favor.
Santos is a Spanish and Portuguese surname derived from the Latin word 'sanctus', meaning 'holy' or 'saint'. It originated as a religious name, often given to children born on All Saints' Day (Día de Todos los Santos) or as a devotional name honoring the saints. As a given name, it is most common in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking cultures, particularly in Latin America and the Philippines.
Where Santos is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Santo
Sibling names for Santos
Names that share Santos's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Santos
Names whose popularity has moved with Santos's over the last 50 years.
