Fun Facts About the Name December
- More than 1 thousand babies named December: U.S. records list 1,618 babies given the name December from 1880 through 2025. Even 11 boys received the name December - about 1 boy for every 146 girls.
What Does the Name December Mean?
December is an English name taken from the name of the year's final month, and its established meaning is "tenth month." The month name comes from Latin December, formed on decem, the Latin word for "ten." In the earliest Roman calendar, which began with March, December was the tenth month, so the name records a position in the calendar rather than anything about winter or the end of the year. Latin December passed into Old French as decembre and then into Middle English as December. Symbolic readings of the name - cold, darkness, endings - are later associations attached to the season, not part of the word's origin.
December Name History & Origins
Month names entered English personal naming mainly through a few long-established examples such as April, May, and June. The later months of the year, including December, were adopted as given names much more recently and remain uncommon. December appears occasionally as a feminine given name in English-speaking countries, generally from the 19th century onward, as month names in general became more familiar as personal names. It is sometimes given to a child born in that month, following the wider custom of naming a baby after the month of birth.
Because it comes directly from the calendar, December has no saint's legend or biblical story behind it, unlike many older English names. The Latin-derived month name also displaced whatever Old English terms had been used for the month, so the name has no Germanic root of its own to trace. It is distinct from the many traditional names that only resemble it in sound.
How Popular is the Name December?
December has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2012. Its best rank was #2,735 in 1979.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #5,768 | 21 | 0.0013% |
| 2024 | #5,172 | 25 | 0.0015% |
| 2023 | #4,383 | 32 | 0.0020% |
| 2022 | #4,397 | 32 | 0.0020% |
| 2021 | #3,950 | 37 | 0.0023% |
| 2020 | #4,030 | 35 | 0.0022% |
| 2019 | #4,572 | 30 | 0.0018% |
| 2018 | #4,173 | 34 | 0.0020% |
| 2017 | #4,236 | 34 | 0.0020% |
| 2016 | #4,449 | 32 | 0.0018% |
| 2015 | #3,787 | 40 | 0.0022% |
| 2014 | #3,603 | 43 | 0.0024% |
| 2013 | #4,353 | 33 | 0.0019% |
| 2012 | #3,481 | 46 | 0.0026% |
| 2011 | #4,272 | 34 | 0.0019% |
| 2010 | #4,637 | 31 | 0.0017% |
| 2009 | #3,579 | 45 | 0.0024% |
| 2008 | #4,290 | 36 | 0.0019% |
| 2007 | #4,588 | 32 | 0.0017% |
| 2006 | #4,854 | 29 | 0.0015% |
| 2005 | #4,400 | 31 | 0.0017% |
| 2004 | #4,016 | 35 | 0.0019% |
| 2003 | #4,335 | 30 | 0.0016% |
| 2002 | #4,529 | 27 | 0.0015% |
| 2001 | #4,349 | 28 | 0.0016% |
| 2000 | #4,441 | 27 | 0.0015% |
| 1999 | #3,734 | 32 | 0.0018% |
| 1998 | #3,510 | 34 | 0.0019% |
| 1997 | #2,892 | 42 | 0.0024% |
| 1996 | #3,447 | 33 | 0.0019% |
| 1995 | #2,937 | 40 | 0.0023% |
| 1994 | #4,150 | 25 | 0.0014% |
| 1993 | #4,288 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 1992 | #4,116 | 25 | 0.0014% |
| 1991 | #4,236 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 1990 | #4,736 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 1989 | #3,809 | 26 | 0.0014% |
| 1988 | #3,821 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 1987 | #4,511 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 1986 | #2,792 | 34 | 0.0020% |
| 1985 | #4,678 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 1984 | #3,633 | 22 | 0.0013% |
| 1983 | #4,322 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 1982 | #4,385 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 1981 | #3,360 | 25 | 0.0015% |
| 1980 | #3,238 | 26 | 0.0016% |
| 1979 | #2,735 | 32 | 0.0020% |
| 1978 | #3,024 | 26 | 0.0017% |
| 1977 | #3,193 | 24 | 0.0016% |
| 1976 | #3,431 | 20 | 0.0014% |
| 1975 | #3,532 | 19 | 0.0013% |
| 1974 | #3,730 | 17 | 0.0012% |
| 1973 | #5,264 | 10 | 0.0007% |
| 1972 | #6,713 | 7 | 0.0005% |
| 1970 | #8,263 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1969 | #7,724 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1968 | #5,245 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1967 | #6,192 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1966 | #5,393 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1965 | #4,930 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1964 | #4,151 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1963 | #4,982 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1961 | #5,988 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1960 | #6,568 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | #12,779 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2016 | #11,048 | 6 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name December Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are strong in material matters, determined and stubborn. You have good business ability. You are a good worker, steady and practical, a builder who takes responsibility well. These qualities may bring you a position of authority and power. You are a doer, down-to-earth, serious-minded, reliable, and self-disciplined; have good power of concentration. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You are always looking for a chance to do your own thing, to be your own person, and to have things done your own way.
✦ December's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover December's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.