Liam and Olivia Remain Top U.S. Baby Names for Seventh Straight Year, SSA Reports

Klarity is an alternative spelling of the word 'clarity'. The SSA has compiled annual baby name lists since 1997, with its public database containing records dating back to 1880. National baby name data are restricted to births in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

U.S. territories are tracked separately and are not included. Baby name data is compiled based on Social Security card applications. Names in the SSA database are limited to cases where the year of birth, sex and state of birth are on record and the given name is at least two characters long.

Hyphens and spaces are removed from the First Name field, so names like Julie-Anne, Julie Anne and Julieanne are counted together. Different spellings of similar names are not combined by the SSA. Frank J. Bisignano is the Social Security Commissioner.

" Getting a Social Security number at birth is typically streamlined as part of the birth certificate process. A Social Security number is generally required to claim a child as a dependent on a federal income tax return and to claim the child tax credit, additional child tax credit and Earned Income Tax Credit for a qualifying child.

The SSN requirement for tax credits applies even if a child was born alive and died during the year. A child may need a Social Security number to open a bank account, 529 plan, buy savings bonds, obtain medical coverage or apply for government services. Social Security pays benefits to children whose parents are retired, deceased or disabled.

Children with disabilities whose parents have low income or limited resources may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. Children born in 2025, 2026, 2027 or 2028 may qualify for a $1,000 pilot contribution to Trump accounts, also called 530A accounts. Trump accounts were created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed by President Donald Trump in July 2025.

To qualify, the child must be a United States citizen with a Social Security number issued before making the election. The election can be made on Form 4547 or electronically and must be made by December 31 of the year the child turns 17. There is no charge from the Social Security Administration to apply for a Social Security number and card.

Nearly half a billion people have received Social Security numbers since the first number was issued on December 2, 1936. The first Social Security number, SSN 055-09-0001, belonged to John D. Sweeney Jr.

Of New Rochelle, New York. John D. Sweeney Jr. never received Social Security benefits. The first three digits of Social Security numbers were once assigned based on the region where the person was residing when the number was issued.

In 2011, the SSA moved to a randomized assignment methodology for Social Security numbers. Social Security numbers are used today for various purposes, although only about 40 official uses are approved by Congress. The IRS began using SSNs as official taxpayer identification numbers in 1962.