"tenth month (in original Roman calendar)"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
December
Pronunciation: [ d-ihs-EHMB-er ]
December is a girl name of Latin origin meaning "tenth month (in original Roman calendar)." Ranked #5,239 in the US, popular nicknames include Ember, Dece, and Bree.
A bold month name with winter magic and fire within
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"twelfth month"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
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The Story of December
December comes from the Latin decem, meaning ten, because in the original Roman calendar December was the tenth month. When the Roman calendar was reformed and January and February were added, December became the twelfth month but retained its name. As a given name, December is part of the modern trend of month names and season names being used for children, often for babies born in that month.
December as a given name is a recent innovation following the success of month names like April, June, August, and October. It is rare but growing, appealing to parents who want a nature/time name with a wintry, festive feel. The embedded nickname Ember also makes it appealing.
December is associated in the Northern Hemisphere with winter solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the transition to a new year. The month name carries associations of warmth amid cold, celebration, endings and beginnings. As a name, it suits a child born during this special month.
Historical Record
December first appeared in US Social Security records in 1960.
Over 1,586 babies have been named December in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, December is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #5,239 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- December was the tenth month (not twelfth) in the original Roman calendar before January and February were added
- The natural nickname Ember connects December to fire and warmth, a lovely contrast to the cold month
- Month names have been rising in popularity since the 1980s, with June, August and now December gaining traction
December in Other Languages
French
Decembre
German
Dezember
Italian
Dicembre
Russian
Dekabr
Spanish
Diciembre
Portuguese
Dezembro
Popularity Over Time
#5,239
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named December
D
December Nelson Fictional
Other
Fictional character name in various works of fiction
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #5,239
- Total SSA Count
- 25
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Ember
Dece
Bree
Dec
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for December
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
December is also used as a boy name, ranked #35524.
View December as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like December →Compare December with...
Same Origin Names (English)
Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with December
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Save Your Name Card
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Frequently Asked Questions About December
What does the name December mean?
"tenth month (in original Roman calendar)" (from Latin). "twelfth month" (from Latin). December comes from the Latin decem, meaning ten, because in the original Roman calendar December was the tenth month. When the Roman calendar was reformed and January and February were added, December became the twelfth month but retained its name. As a given name, December is part of the modern trend of month names and season names being used for children, often for babies born in that month.
What is the origin of the name December?
December has Latin, English, and American origins. In Latin, it means "tenth month (in original Roman calendar)". In Latin, it means "twelfth month".
Is December a boy or girl name?
December is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #5239. As a boy name, it is ranked #35524. December is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce December?
December is pronounced d-ihs-EHMB-er.
How popular is the name December?
December is currently ranked #5239 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for December?
Common nicknames for December include Ember, Dece, Bree, and Dec.
What are good middle names for December?
Popular middle name pairings include December Rose, December Joy, December Wren, December Frost, December Eve, December Grace, and December Snow.
What are good sibling names for December?
Names that pair well with December as siblings include October, June, August, Solstice, Winter, Ember, and Aurora.
How many syllables does December have?
December has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is December a common or rare name?
December is an uncommon name, ranked #5239 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name December
December is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "tenth month (in original Roman calendar)" in Latin .
Is December a boy or girl name? December is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #5,239 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #35,524. December is more commonly used as a girl name.
December is currently ranked #5,239 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name December has 3 syllables and is pronounced d-ihs-EHMB-er, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for December include Ember, Dece, Bree, and Dec. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis