Holding steady, #4,265 for girls today.
Popularity of Seneca since 1956
Babies named Seneca per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1995, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Seneca's real moment was 1980.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 48 | 0 |
| 1960s | 21 | 0 |
| 1970s | 185 | 520 |
| 1980s | 298 | 481 |
| 1990s | 340 | 142 |
| 2000s | 401 | 300 |
| 2010s | 289 | 212 |
| 2020s | 184 | 102 |
Meaning & origin
Seneca is a name with a dual heritage, drawing from both Roman history and Native American culture. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1956 and reached its peak popularity in 1980, though it has never been common. Currently ranking 4,265, it is given to roughly 1 in every 48,705 newborns, reflecting a stable but niche usage. The trajectory of the name has remained steady over the decades, with California being the top state for Seneca bearers. Parents may be attracted to its scholarly association with the Roman philosopher or its connection to the Seneca Nation, making it a distinctive choice with cultural depth.
The name Seneca is primarily associated with the Roman philosopher and statesman Lucius Annaeus Seneca. It may also refer to the Seneca people, one of the Iroquois Six Nations, whose name is often said to mean 'people of the standing stone' or 'place of the stone'. As a given name, Seneca has been used as a masculine name since the 20th century and occasionally for girls.
Where Seneca is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cene, Sen
Sibling names for Seneca
Names that share Seneca's style, for a brother or sister.
