Total births
1,214
Unisex name · since 1883
Ether
Since 1883, U.S. Social Security records show 1,214 babies named Ether, peaking in 1921. See the year-by-year trend, decade totals, and state rankings below, sourced from federal birth data.
- 1,214
- total births
- 1883–1964
- years on record
- 1920s
- peak decade
- 28%
- born in that decade
Ether sits outside today's top ranks for girls, with 1,214 recorded since 1883.
According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, Ether has been recorded 1,214 times among girls since 1883, though it is not among the currently most-used girls names, with its heaviest use in the 1920s. This profile covers year-by-year birth trends, decade totals, and state-level distribution, all derived directly from SSA birth-registration files spanning 1883 to 1964.
- 1,214 total births
- 1883–1964 years on record
- 1920s peak decade
- 28% born in that decade
Data updated Jun 2026
The verdict
1,214 girls have been named Ether since 1883, peaking in the 1920s, last recorded in 1964.
- 1,214
- total births
- 1883–1964
- years on record
- 1920s
- peak decade
- 28%
- born in that decade
1920s
Peak decade
28% of everyone ever named Ether was born in this single decade.
1921
Single peak year
48 babies were named Ether in 1921 - its busiest year on record.
Ether's usage pattern, beyond the headline number
Splitting Ether's full recorded timeline at 1922, 53% of its total births fall in the more recent half of the record versus 47% in the earlier half -- a fairly even split across the full record. Its quietest year on record was 1883, with just 5 recorded births -- worth weighing against the 1921 peak of 48 to see the full range of the name's swing in popularity.
Ether at a glance
Last recorded 1964Peak year
1921
Current rank
Unranked
Active since
1883
Ether popularity over time - girls
Annual U.S. births registered with the Social Security Administration · 1883–1964
- Peak year (1921)
- 48
- Annual births at peak, across 82 years of records
Ether popularity over time - boys
71 total births recorded since 1914 (Ether as boys' name)
Ether by decade
Total births in each ten-year window, peak vs trough at a glance
1920s was Ether's strongest decade.
334 babies received the name during that ten-year window, about 28% of all-time use.
Ether births by decade
Total births in each ten-year window
- 1880s 20
1880s
20 births
- 1890s 83
1890s
83 births
- 1900s
1900s
139 births
- 1910s
1910s
237 births
- 1920s
1920s
334 births
- 1930s
1930s
224 births
- 1940s 117
1940s
117 births
- 1950s 54
1950s
54 births
- 1960s 6
1960s
6 births
What this shows Peak: 1920s at 334 births (28% of all-time use).
How Ether compares to similarly-sized names
Years in SSA records vs. share of all-time use concentrated in the single peak year, among 15 girls names closest to Ether's total volume
Ether vs 15 similarly-sized girls names
Ether by state
Where Ether concentrates geographically, total births since 1883
| Rank | State | Visual share | Births | Share of total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Mississippi | | 252 | 20.8% |
| #2 | Alabama | | 49 | 4.0% |
| #3 | Georgia | | 42 | 3.5% |
| #4 | Louisiana | | 23 | 1.9% |
| #5 | Arkansas | | 19 | 1.6% |
| #6 | South Carolina | | 18 | 1.5% |
| #7 | North Carolina | | 5 | 0.4% |
Mississippi share of Ether's total US births 20.8%
Even split
252 of 1,214 births nationwide. Compared to a flat distribution across 7 reporting states.
Frequently Asked Questions
How popular is the name Ether? ▼
Since 1883, Social Security records show 1,214 babies named Ether. The most recent recorded year was 1964. Its busiest year on record was 1921, with 48 births.
When was Ether most popular? ▼
Ether was most popular in the 1920s decade with 334 total births. The single peak year was 1921.
Where is Ether most popular? ▼
The top states for the name Ether are Mississippi (252 births), Alabama (49 births), Georgia (42 births).
Is Ether a unisex name? ▼
Yes, Ether is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name it has 1,214 births, and as a boy's name it has 71 births.
How long has the name Ether been used? ▼
Records for Ether go back to 1883, giving 82 years of history through 1964.
What names are similar to Ether? ▼
Names with a similar sound or spelling include Ethel, Ethelyn, Ethyl, Ethelene, and 4 more. These share a common prefix and are also used for girls.
What to do with Ether's data
- Ether's decade-level peak was the 1920s (334 total births); usage has since declined to 6 in the 1960s -- if you're weighing a "classic revival" angle, the trend line argues against it.
- Mississippi records the most Ethers (252 births) -- see the full state breakdown if geography matters to your decision. Mississippi names
- Weighing it against an alternative? Put two names side by side. Compare names
Figures reflect SSA-reported births only; see the methodology above for the privacy-suppression floor.
Keep exploring Ether
Nearby Names Like Ether
Names with a similar sound, spelling, or feel to Ether
Ethel Girl
#4893 278,922 births
Ethelyn Girl
4,450 births
Ethyl Girl
2,395 births
Ethelene Girl
1,837 births
Etha Girl
1,802 births
Compare Ether side by side: Ether vs Ethel Ether vs Ethelyn Ether vs Ethyl
Related Names
Names with a similar number of total births
Data Sources
Data as of June 2026. Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).
According to the Social Security Administration, this profile draws directly from the agency's public-use baby-name files (updated June 2026). See our methodology for the full extraction, aggregation, and privacy-suppression rules.
Primary: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names from Social Security Card Applications, National Data, 1883–1964 (ssa.gov/oact/babynames).
State-level: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names, State-Level Files (namesbystate.zip).
Cite this page
NameAlmanac Editorial. "Ether: Baby Name Since 1883 - 1,214 Births, Peak 1921." NameAlmanac. Accessed via https://namealmanac.com/name/ether. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Name Almanac is rendered directly from the Social Security Administration's public baby-name files, no number is typed in by an editor. This profile for Ether draws directly on SSA national and state-level files, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.