Monica

Monica: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning
“meaning uncertain”
Origin
Unknown
Say it
MON-ih-kuh · 3 syllables
Used for
Girls

Ancient name borne by Saint Monica, mother of Augustine. Its origin is uncertain, often connected with North African or Latin traditions. The origin of this name is not settled among etymologists.

How popular is Monica?

2024117 per million US babies
1880192019602000
Drag the line or the slider to read any year. Values are per million US births recorded by Social Security. Records before about 1937 undercount births, so early peaks can look taller than they were.

Babies named Monica in 2024388

2024 rank#723 girls

Peak year1973

Total US babies since 1880251,883

Monica is fading: recent use is about 61% of its level ten years before.

Names like Monica

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

  • Monikaadvisor · Latin
  • Avauncertain; possibly bird or life · Unknown
  • Mayauncertain; often illusion or water · Unknown
  • Ailanyuncertain · Unknown
  • Alanauncertain; often linked to little rock or handsome · Unknown
  • Leiauncertain; often used as a form of Leah · Unknown
  • Londonfrom London, place name · Unknown
  • Nayeliuncertain; often said to mean I love you · Unknown

Monica questions

What does the name Monica mean?

Monica means "meaning uncertain". It comes from Unknown. Ancient name borne by Saint Monica, mother of Augustine. Its origin is uncertain, often connected with North African or Latin traditions.

Is Monica a boy or girl name?

Monica is mainly a girl's name in US records (100% of uses since 1880).

How popular is Monica?

388 US babies were named Monica in 2024. Its peak year was 1973.

How do you pronounce Monica?

Monica is usually pronounced MON-ih-kuh.

Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.