Learn why The Data Behind Your Name: How Many of Me and Census Records Actually Calculate Your Rarity is drawing attention with our thorough coverage.

To determine how common an identity is, researchers look to distinct administrative repositories rather than single-click consumer tools. Each database operates on different sample periods and collection methods.

Data Repository Core Metrics Tracked Collection Source Structural Limitation
Social Security Administration (SSA) First name distribution data (1880, 2025) SSN card applications at birth Omits surnames; excludes deaths unless matched to Death Master File
U.S. Census Bureau Surname frequency ranking (Top 162,000+ names) Decennial national household counts Does not link first names to last names in public summary files
Forebears Global Database Cross-border name prevalence & density Aggregated civil registries, phone books, voter rolls Varying record completeness across developing jurisdictions
National Archives (NARA) Genealogical census archives Historic federal population schedules Bound by the 72-year statutory privacy embargo (1950 is latest public)