At a glance
- U.S. rank 2025 (boys)
- #4,539 (outside the top 1,000)
- Babies in 2025 (boys)
- 22 (<0.01% of boys)
- As a girl name
- #11,932 in 2025 (7 babies)Peak #8,542 in 2022
- Trend (boys)
- Slipping #2,846 in 2020 to #4,539 in 2025
- Peak (boys)
- #2,819 in 2021
- First recorded
- 1997 (as a boy name; 2002 as a girl name)
Meaning of Nation
Nation is a unisex name of English origin (pronounced NAY-shun) drawn from the common noun denoting a collective people or sovereign entity. It suggests unity and shared identity, evoking a tapestry of cultures woven into a single whole—a nuance not far from the Persian concept of mellat, where communal bonds are celebrated in poetry and song. Though it remains relatively rare in the United States, hovering in the low 900s of the baby-name rankings with roughly 20 to 44 occurrences per year since 2021, Nation’s steady presence reflects a measured appeal among parents seeking a name that balances strength with inclusivity. Like a young diplomat at an international forum, it carries a dry wit and an analytical edge, hinting at leadership and global awareness without sacrificing unassuming warmth.
How to pronounce Nation
English
- Pronounced NAY-shun /neɪˈʃən/
Popularity of Nation in the U.S.
Nation was the #4,539 boy name in the U.S. in 2025, with 22 babies. It peaked at #2,819 in 2021. It first appears in the records in 1997. As a girl name it was #11,932 in 2025, with 7 babies.
- Rank among U.S. boy names (right scale, #1 at the top)
Boys year by year, 1997–2025 26 rows
| Year | Babies | Rank | vs previous year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 22 | 4,539 | ▲ 162 |
| 2024 | 21 | 4,701 | ▼ 358 |
| 2023 | 24 | 4,343 | ▼ 569 |
| 2022 | 29 | 3,774 | ▼ 955 |
| 2021 | 44 | 2,819 | ▲ 27 |
| 2020 | 42 | 2,846 | ▲ 1,268 |
| 2019 | 25 | 4,114 | ▲ 992 |
| 2018 | 18 | 5,106 | ▼ 171 |
| 2017 | 19 | 4,935 | ▲ 383 |
| 2016 | 17 | 5,318 | ▲ 4,250 |
| 2015 | 7 | 9,568 | ▼ 4,316 |
| 2014 | 17 | 5,252 | ▲ 152 |
| 2013 | 16 | 5,404 | ▲ 5,366 |
| 2012 | 6 | 10,770 | ▼ 3,761 |
| 2011 | 11 | 7,009 | ▲ 1,794 |
| 2010 | 8 | 8,803 | ▼ 3,249 |
| 2009 | 16 | 5,554 | ▲ 1,633 |
| 2008 | 11 | 7,187 | ▼ 925 |
| 2007 | 13 | 6,262 | ▲ 198 |
| 2006 | 12 | 6,460 | ▲ 1,180 |
| 2005 | 9 | 7,640 | ▲ 503 |
| 2004 | 8 | 8,143 | ▼ 2,585 |
| 2003 | 13 | 5,558 | back (not recorded in 2001–2002) |
| 2000 | 5 | 10,349 | ▼ 437 |
| 1999 | 5 | 9,912 | back (not recorded in 1998) |
| 1997 | 6 | 8,110 | new |
Girls year by year, 2002–2025 10 rows
| Year | Babies | Rank | vs previous year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 11,932 | back (not recorded in 2023–2024) |
| 2022 | 12 | 8,542 | ▲ 6,709 |
| 2021 | 5 | 15,251 | ▼ 5,705 |
| 2020 | 10 | 9,546 | ▼ 434 |
| 2019 | 11 | 9,112 | ▲ 2,315 |
| 2018 | 8 | 11,427 | ▲ 2,697 |
| 2017 | 6 | 14,124 | ▲ 2,091 |
| 2016 | 5 | 16,215 | ▼ 1,733 |
| 2015 | 6 | 14,482 | back (not recorded in 2003–2014) |
| 2002 | 5 | 15,432 | new |