Special Name Popularity and Statistics
Special is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
Meaning, origin, and pronunciation details are shown only after they have been independently reviewed.
How Do You Spell Special?
Special is spelled S-P-E-C-I-A-L. The name has 7 letters.
Special Popularity in 2020
Rank#13,453
Recorded Births6
- Girls usage rose 3,060 places to #13,453 and recorded 1 more birth compared with 2014.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
Special Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 1986 through 2020. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Girls | 6 | #13,453 |
| 2014 | Girls | 5 | #16,513 |
| 2007 | Girls | 7 | #13,924 |
| 2006 | Girls | 5 | #17,168 |
| 2005 | Girls | 9 | #10,921 |
| 2004 | Girls | 11 | #9,264 |
| 2003 | Girls | 5 | #15,784 |
| 2002 | Girls | 11 | #8,837 |
| 2001 | Girls | 10 | #9,351 |
| 2000 | Girls | 12 | #8,027 |
| 1999 | Girls | 15 | #6,484 |
| 1998 | Girls | 14 | #6,719 |
| 1997 | Girls | 20 | #5,010 |
| 1996 | Girls | 23 | #4,453 |
| 1995 | Girls | 20 | #4,846 |
| 1994 | Girls | 10 | #8,122 |
| 1993 | Girls | 21 | #4,671 |
| 1992 | Girls | 21 | #4,686 |
| 1991 | Girls | 11 | #7,430 |
| 1990 | Girls | 18 | #5,060 |
| 1989 | Girls | 15 | #5,545 |
| 1988 | Girls | 13 | #5,895 |
| 1987 | Girls | 9 | #7,353 |
| 1986 | Girls | 12 | #5,757 |
When Was Special Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1996 · Girls
23 recorded births
National rank #4,453
1993 · Girls
21 recorded births
National rank #4,671
1992 · Girls
21 recorded births
National rank #4,686
1997 · Girls
20 recorded births
National rank #5,010
Where Special Ranked Highest in 1997
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| CA | #2,430 | 7 |