Behind the Name

What Behind the Name actually is

A reference for given names covering origin, meaning, the language each came from and how its popularity has moved by country and by decade. Entries link between related forms, so one name leads you to its Latin root, its Polish variant and every saint who ever carried it.

Why it is worth your time

Popularity charts reaching back over a century let you date a name to a decade, which explains why every third woman born in a particular year shares one.

Common questions

Is Behind the Name free?

Yes. Behind the Name is free and does not ask you to register or hand over an email address before you can use it.

How long does Behind the Name take?

Five to fifteen minutes of proper attention. We file it under "Coffee break" — the etymology and history of first names, worldwide.

Does Behind the Name work on a phone?

Yes. Behind the Name works on a phone as well as it does on a laptop.

What kind of site is Behind the Name?

We list it under Wiki Dives — enter for one fact, leave two hours later. Popularity charts reaching back over a century let you date a name to a decade, which explains why every third woman born in a particular year shares one.