Holding steady, #151 for girls today.
Popularity of Summer since 1949
Babies named Summer per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1998, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Summer's real moment was 1977.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 149 |
| 1960s | 384 |
| 1970s | 9,031 |
| 1980s | 12,169 |
| 1990s | 18,807 |
| 2000s | 22,198 |
| 2010s | 16,905 |
| 2020s | 11,673 |
Meaning & origin
Summer is a seasonal name that has enjoyed consistent popularity in the United States since the 1970s. First recorded as a given name in 1949, it saw a significant rise in the 1970s and reached its peak rank in 1977. As of 2025, it ranks 151st, with approximately 1 in 815 newborn girls receiving the name. The name has been especially well received in states like Vermont, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, where it appears among the top choices. Its trajectory has been stable in recent years, neither sharply rising nor falling. The name's straightforward meaning and sunny associations have contributed to its enduring appeal among parents seeking a nature-inspired choice.
Summer is derived directly from the Old English word sumor, meaning the season. It was among the earliest of the nature-themed names that rose in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, part of a broader trend toward names like April, May, and Autumn. Though used as a given name earlier in the 20th century, its popularity surged after the 1976 film 'Summer of My German Soldier' and has remained in steady use since.
Where Summer is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Summer” around the world
Where Summer lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
30
babies in 2024
Ireland
40
babies in 2025
New Zealand
36
babies in 2025
Quebec
15
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#89
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sunny, Sumi
Sibling names for Summer
Names that share Summer's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Autumn, Grace, Hannah, Lily, Rose, Sky, Sunshine, Winter, Apryl, Autum, January, Somer, Spring, Sumer, Sunday, Tuesday, Windy, Breezy, Crystle, Cyrstal, July, Mysti, Nature, Rainbow, Rainy, Season, Aprille, Holiday, Honest, Juneau, March, Mistee, Stormee, Sundee, Sway, Sundi, Apryle, Autumm, Autumnrose, Free, Morning, Summar, Sunset, Sunshyne
Brothers: Hunter, Carter, Lucas, Logan, Jake, North, Brighten, Laker
Names like Summer
Names whose popularity has moved with Summer's over the last 50 years.
