Rising since 2012, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Southern since 1923
Babies named Southern per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 0 | 6 |
| 1930s | 0 | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 12 | 5 |
| 2010s | 46 | 13 |
| 2020s | 56 | 43 |
Meaning & origin
Southern entered the U.S. baby name landscape in 2007, a modern coinage born from the trend of using place and directional words as names. It reached its peak popularity in 2020, and as of 2025 ranks at 11,932, with approximately 1 in 229,610 newborns receiving the name. The name has been on a rising trajectory since 2012, reflecting a steady if niche appeal. While no specific states have recorded notable concentrations, the name evokes a distinctly American regional identity. As a unisex name, Southern represents a contemporary choice that breaks from traditional gendered naming conventions, aligning with the broader fashion for surnames and geographical terms as first names.
Southern is a modern coinage derived from the English word 'southern', referring to the direction or region. It emerged as a given name in the United States in the early 2000s, likely influenced by the popularity of place names and directional names such as Easton or North. The name is used for both boys and girls and has seen a gradual increase in usage since 2012.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: South, Souther, Sue
Sibling names for Southern
Names that share Southern's style, for a brother or sister.
