How popular is the baby name Sparrow in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Sparrow.

The graph will take a few moments to load. (Don't worry, it shouldn't take 9 months!) If it's taking too long, try reloading the page.


Popularity of the baby name Sparrow


Posts that mention the name Sparrow

Celebrity baby name: Rainbow Aurora

Hugh Hefner’s former girlfriend Holly Madison welcomed a baby girl last week.

The dad isn’t Hef, though — it’s Holly’s current boyfriend, Pasquale Rotella.

And the baby’s name? Rainbow Aurora Rotella.

Not long after the name was announced, Holly apparently felt she had to start defending it:

I have always loved the name Rainbow. There was a girl in my school a few years younger than me named Rainbow and I was so envious of her name because it was so pretty and unusual. She was a perfectly normal, well-adjusted, sporty girl, by the way, so I’m not worried about my daughter being “traumatized” by having an unusual name.

There are a lot of smug haters out there who bag on my choice of a name, but I don’t care about what they think. I want my daughter to be proud of who she is and learn to speak up and stand up for herself at a young age. I spent most of my life being a people-pleaser who worried about what other people thought or thought was cool and I don’t want that for her.

(This reasoning reminds me of Joel Madden’s reasoning behind the baby name Sparrow: “I wanted to give him a name that he’s going to have to stand up for.”)

What are your thoughts on the baby name Rainbow?

Update, October 2020: Rainbow more than doubled in usage in the SSA data back in 2013, likely thanks to celebrity baby Rainbow.

  • 2014: 10 baby girls named Rainbow
  • 2013: 16 baby girls named Rainbow
  • 2012: 7 baby girls named Rainbow
  • 2011: 10 baby girls named Rainbow

Source: Madison, Holly. “On My Baby’s Name.” Celebuzz 8 Mar. 2013.

Pop culture baby name game results, 2011 (part 2)

Britney Spears album

In part 2 of the Pop culture baby name game, we tried to predict which baby names would see increased usage in 2011, thanks to popular culture.

Here’s how we did. The numbers are all from 2010 and 2011, respectively. (Check out Harper & Bentley!)

  • Adele – yes, rose from 286 to 453 baby girls
  • Atlantis – nope, fell from 16 to 7 baby girls
  • Alaina – yes, rose from 1,490 to 1,985 baby girls
  • Alaric – yes, rose from 40 to 48 baby boys
  • Amy – nope, fell from 2,275 to 2,177 baby girls
  • Arya – yes, rose from 273 to 386 baby girls (& from 87 to 110 baby boys)
  • Arabella – yes, rose from 826 to 934 baby girls
  • Aria – yes, rose from 898 to 1,964 baby girls
  • Arthur – yes, rose from 725 to 888 baby boys
  • Bear – yes, rose from 53 to 85 baby boys
  • Bentley – yes rose from 3761 to 5535 baby boys (& from 231 to 285 baby girls)
  • Betty – yes, rose from 130 to 163 baby girls
  • Bran – yes, rose from 5 to 7 baby boys
  • Cairo – yes, rose from 45 to 91 baby boys, and 5 to 12 baby girls
  • Casey – nope, fell from 483 to 463 baby girls (& from 705 to 635 baby boys)
  • Caylee – yes, rose from 565 to 692 baby girls
  • Charlie (girl name) – yes, rose from 664 to 848 (pop culture reference: Disney’s Good Luck Charlie)
  • Crosby – yes, rose from 180 to 301 baby boys
  • Edith – yes, rose from 325 to 350 baby girls
  • Egypt – yes, rose from 100 to 112 baby girls, and 5 to 11 baby boys
  • Ezra – yes, rose from 1439 to 1735 baby boys (& from 88 to 101 baby girls)
  • Florence – nope, fell from 75 to 73 baby girls (I’m surprised by this!)
  • Flynn – yes, rose from 81 to 208 baby boys
  • Gabrielle – nope, fell from 3,128 to 2,601 baby girls
  • Harper – yes, Harper rose from 2,624 to 4,636 baby girls (& from 339 to 399 baby boys)
  • Harvey – yes, rose 184 to 243 baby boys
  • Hattie – yes, from 157 to 253 baby girls
  • Haven – yes, rose from 447 to 504 baby girls (but fell from 164 to 133 baby boys)
  • Jace – yes, rose from 2,669 to 3,689 baby boys
  • Kate – yes, rose from 1,485 to 1,774 baby girls
  • Kez – nope, off the list both years
  • Khal – nope, off the list both years
  • Libya – yes, rose from off-the-list (fewer than 5) to 7 baby girls
  • Maci – yes, rose from 1,351 to 1,725 baby girls
  • Mars – yes, rose from 14 to 23 baby boys
  • Maxton – yes, 193 to 208 baby boys
  • Mobley – nope, off the list both years
  • Monroe – yes, rose from 93 to 141 baby girls
  • Mylo – yes, rose from 33 to 57 baby boys
  • Nicki – yes, rose from 9 to 21 baby girls
  • Octavia – no, fell from 88 to 72
  • Perry – yes, rose from 32 to 40 baby girls, and 129 to 146 baby boys
  • Pippa – yes, Pippa rose from 16 to 69 baby girls (& Philippa from 25 to 53)
  • Raylan – yes, rose from 132 to 326 baby boys
  • Rue – yes, rose from 9 to 13 baby girls
  • Siri – nope, Siri fell from 111 to 103 baby girls
  • Sparrow – yes, rose from 5 to 11 baby boys (but fell from 32 to 31 baby girls)
  • Spring – yes, rose from 11 to 16 baby girls
  • Steve – yes, rose from 279 to 324 baby boys
  • Tim – nope, fell from 65 to 48 baby boys
  • Tunisia – nope, off the list both years
  • William – yes, rose from 16,979 to 17,151 baby boys

I know I missed a few, but we’ll discuss them all eventually I’m sure. :)

Here are the results to PCBNG #1.

The top boy-name debuts of 2010

lotus bud

Below are the boy name debuts of 2010.

The “boy name debuts” are the boy names that never appeared on the Social Security Administration’s baby name list before 2010. That is, boy names that were never given to more than 5 baby boys in any single year on record (1880-2009).

  1. Vadhir, 55 baby boys – from actor Vadhir Derbez
  2. Jeffren, 28 – from soccer player Jeffrén
  3. Brees, 22 – from football player Drew Brees
  4. Neymar, 19 – from soccer player Neymar
  5. Dastan, 17 – from Prince of Persia character Dastan (h/t Julie)
  6. Kaisyn, 15
  7. Kiaan, 15
  8. Coopar, 14
  9. Khaidyn, 13
  10. Koli, 13 – from Biggest Loser contestant Koli Palu (h/t Angela)
  11. Miking, 12
  12. Oluwadarasimi, 12
  13. Avyan, 11
  14. Gurtaj, 11
  15. Yanuel, 11
  16. Hezeki, 10
  17. Jaxxen, 10
  18. Krosby, 10
  19. Riaan, 10 – Not a debut! My mistake.
  20. Rilynn, 10
  21. Robben, 10 – Another false positive.
  22. Weylyn, 10

Given to 9 baby boys:
Abem, Ayce, Aydain, Baze, Beckhem, Caysin, Haaziq, Jadyen, Jaedynn, Kyryn, Liel, Nox, Pistol, Poseidon, Raizo, Shaddix, Srihaas, Talent

Given to 8 baby boys:
Adrianno, Axil, Beckum, Benhur, Bentlei, Bradynn, Breaker, Child, Colsten, Devarsh, Farzan, Goodluck, Graesyn, Jaasir, Jahmell, Jairden, Jayrell, Khonor, Koldyn, Kyier, Makua, Ozil, Sahibdeep, Smayan, Teagyn, Tenor, Yoann, Zamaurion

Given to 7 baby boys:
Aceyn, Ahmire, Alameen, Arihaan, Aws, Ayiden, Baize, Bavly, Bemnet, Bentleigh, Bentlie, Braham, Cadian, Carmell, Cashmir, Cayvion, Chaysten, Cormari, Daimarion, Demire, Deriel, Devaj, Dradyn, Eastan, Elysia, Erdi, Feliks, Graysin, Guilian, Hastings, Izekiel, Jahniel, Jaizen, Jaydean, Jaydem, Jefren, Jemir, Jozyah, Jvontae, Kabel, Kartel, Kayston, Khloe, Kipten, Kiptin, Knolan, Lakhi, Lealan, Leim, Mauer, Mytrell, Navell, Nikkoli, Nyzair, Nyzere, Pragyan, Rajab, Rhyley, Riott, Roony, Ryerson, Shaemus, Shahzain, Silis, Skyden, Suheb, Suheyb, Suyog, Tayem, Traigh, Trax, Trelynn, Zaelon, Zameir, Zarious, Zevyn, Ziel

Given to 6 baby boys:
Aarib, Abdelrhman, Acheron, Ahanu, Ahian, Aidanjames, Alhasan, Alizander, Altay, Amiliano, Aoi, Arson, Ashdyn, Aviraj, Awesome, Aydric, Aymeric, Azarious, Bayze, Beowulf, Bodhin, Bohan, Brekkin, Breontae, Brom, Cadrian, Casden, Cena, Chezkel, Coreyion, Coyer, Cung, Daidrian, Demajae, Demilade, Derringer, Draeson, Draycen, Draysen, Dreydin, Eliason, Elnatan, Elyn, Ethanjohn, Ethanpaul, Finau, Gambit, Gersain, Hadin, Haruma, Haydar, Henos, Het, Ilyjah, Izaeh, Jacks, Jaetyn, Jagjot, Jahvel, Jaisal, Jakier, Jakov, Jankarlo, Javare, Jaydhen, Jaylaun, Jaymani, Jaymez, Jazavion, Jeckson, Jenzel, Jesai, Jette, Jexiel, Jiho, Jmir, Joacim, Josyiah, Juelez, Kahir, Kaigan, Kailo, Kajetan, Kaspian, Kavya, Kaycin, Kayeden, Kayro, Keair, Keating, Kevari, Kharter, Kojiro, Korrion, Krishang, Kristiano, Kyaw, Laderian, Lanxton, Laterrion, Lejend, Levii, Liamm, Liav, Lukyan, Macks, Mahsiah, Majok, Malyke, Marcjacob, Masonjames, Mekko, Mouctar, Myion, Nasri, Neer, Nidhish, Nikali, No, Noahh, Norbu, Nubaid, Paramveer, Paxtin, Phinn, Princejohn, Princton, Radford, Rawly, Rigg, Rylund, Samonte, Samvit, Serious, Seyon, Shloke, Shoumik, Siale, Sidak, Statham, Syedmuhammad, Syier, Syree, Tahan, Tamare, Taraj, Tesher, Traeshon, Traydon, Trezden, Trippton, Turki, Vishak, Xael, Xzayden, Xzayvian, Yadon, Yohel, Yosniel, Yuriah, Yuva, Zaedon, Zaevian, Zerrion, Zevi, Zhaiden, Zhayden, Zihan, Zuriah

Given to 5 baby boys (a few highlights from a much longer list):
Attis, Bhargava, Brookston, Eternal, Kingsolomon, Motley, Mykl, Sparrow, Yahweh, Zzyzx

(See the top girl name debuts of 2010.)

Source: SSA

Image: Adapted from LotusBud0048a (public domain) by Frank “Fg2” Gualtieri

Behind the celebrity baby name “Sparrow”

Last month, socialite Nicole Richie and musician Joel Madden welcomed their second child, Sparrow James Midnight Madden, who arrived a little after midnight. (Sparrow’s older sister, 20-month-old Harlow Winter Kate Madden, was born in January.)

Nicole and Joel had this to say about Sparrow’s name in the most recent issue of People:

How did you pick Sparrow’s name?

N: We have different tastes in names. Sparrow was one we both liked. I liked the way it sounded with Harlow, and there’s the Captain Jack Sparrow connection.

J: It reminded me of the Johnny Cash song “A Boy Named Sue.” My worry raising a son in Hollywood is what will he have to struggle for? I wanted to give him a name that he’s going to have to stand up for. I love it; I think it’s a beautiful name.

I do appreciate Joel’s reasoning. I like that he was thinking beyond style in considering the potential value this name might have for his son. He wants Sparrow to be able to defend himself, and his identity, when he’s older.

That said…I don’t know if an unusual name is the best way to teach a child how to “struggle for” something. Because an unusual name could potentially mess with a child’s self esteem.

What are your thoughts on the name Sparrow? (Does gender matter?)

Update, May 2011: Sparrow debuted as a boy name in the SSA data in 2010, likely thanks to celebrity baby Sparrow.

Source: Update: Meet Sparrow James Midnight Madden!