Posted on April 7, 2016 by Laura Woods
From Dizzy Gillespie’s expertise with the trumpet to Dick Van Dyke’s memorable performance on Mary Poppins, music pervades every corner of our culture.
Using data from MusicBrainz, MooseRoots identified the names that, up to the present, are most common among musicians relative to the general population.
While a name is by no means a predictor of musical success, patterns certainly exist among artists leading up to today.
To do this, MooseRoots analyzed the names of 249,549 male and 65,442 female musicians to find the top names of each gender. After comparing the frequency of the top musician names with the frequency of those names in the general population during 2014, we compiled a list of names more likely to appear among musicians, and ranked the list from lowest to highest frequency relative to the general population.
Note: All values are rounded to the nearest tenth.
Download MooseRoots’ app on the Google Play Store for information on thousands of baby names.
Mary
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 3.2
Musicians per 1 Million: 5,598.7
Babies per 1 Million: 1,346.9
Held by Mary J. Blige, Mary ranked No. 120 among baby girls in 2014.
Maria
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 3.5
Musicians per 1 Million: 6,384.4
Babies per 1 Million: 1,413.4
The Latin version of Mary — shared by the late singer Maria Callas — ranked No. 115 among female newborns in 2014.
Amanda
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 3.9
Musicians per 1 Million: 2,652
Babies per 1 Million: 537.5
Meaning “lovable” and “to love,” and held by Dresden Dolls singer Amanda Palmer, the name ranked No. 314 among girls in 2014.
Jane
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 5.2
Musicians per 1 Million: 3,241.3
Babies per 1 Million: 525.1
Shared by actress and singer Jane Powell, the feminine form of John ranked No. 322 in 2014.
Julie
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 6.1
Musicians per 1 Million: 2,848.4
Babies per 1 Million: 400.3
The French form of Julia only ranked No. 409 among baby girls in 2014, but it is shared by the legendary Julie Andrews.
Helen
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 7.2
Musicians per 1 Million: 3,339.6
Babies per 1 Million: 408
Defined as “Greek,” “ray,” and “sun,” the name held by singer Helen Vita ranked No. 404 among female newborns in 2014.
Laura
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 7.3
Musicians per 1 Million: 4,420
Babies per 1 Million: 535.5
Laura, a name meaning “laurel,” is held by Broadway star Laura Benanti and ranked No. 318 among baby girls in 2014.
Karen
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 8.7
Musicians per 1 Million: 3,143.1
Babies per 1 Million: 325
Shared by the late Karen Carpenter, the name ranked No. 492 among girls in 2014.
Christine
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 9.3
Musicians per 1 Million: 2,160.9
Babies per 1 Million: 210
Shared by former Fleetwood Mac singer Christine McVie, the French form of Christina ranked No. 689 among female babies in 2014.
Mara
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 10.3
Musicians per 1 Million: 2,357.3
Babies per 1 Million: 208.4
Held by singer Mara Carlyle, Mara ranked No. 695 among newborn girls in 2014.
Marie
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 11.7
Musicians per 1 Million: 3,437.8
Babies per 1 Million: 269.8
Marie, the French version of Maria, ranked No. 579 among baby girls in 2014, and is held by a number of luminaries, including singer Marie Osmond and the Australian operatic soprano Marie Collier.
Sandra
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 12.1
Musicians per 1 Million: 2,357.3
Babies per 1 Million: 179.5
Held by musicians like Sandra Chambers, the nickname for Alessandra ranked No. 800 among female newborns in 2014.
Linda
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 12.5
Musicians per 1 Million: 3,241.3
Babies per 1 Million: 240.4
The name meaning “pretty,” “soft,” and “tender,” is shared by Linda Ronstadt and ranked No. 615 among baby girls in 2014.
Sharon
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 12.6
Musicians per 1 Million: 2,160.9
Babies per 1 Million: 159.4
A Biblical name, Sharon ranked only No. 879 among female babies in 2014, even with the star power of singer Sharon Cheslow behind it.
Jenny
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 14.4
Musicians per 1 Million: 2,652
Babies per 1 Million: 172.3
A nickname for Jennifer and shared by singer Jenny Lewis, the name ranked No. 822 among baby girls in 2014.
Anne
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 14.8
Musicians per 1 Million: 4,518.2
Babies per 1 Million: 286.8
Anne, shared by music industry heavyweights like Anne Murray, was a unique choice for girls in 2014, ranking just No. 553.
Susan
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 15
Musicians per 1 Million: 2,652
Babies per 1 Million: 165.6
Susan, the vernacular form of Susanna and the name of singer Susan Boyle, ranked No. 851 for female newborns in 2014.
Ann
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 18.6
Musicians per 1 Million: 2,848.4
Babies per 1 Million: 145.5
Held by jazz singer Ann Richards, this alternate spelling of Anne earned the rank of 945 among baby girls in 2014.
Louise
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 21
Musicians per 1 Million: 2,259.1
Babies per 1 Million: 102.7
Shared by singers like Louise Griffiths, the feminine form of Louis ranked just No. 1,219 in 2014.
Betty
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 21
Musicians per 1 Million: 2,160.9
Babies per 1 Million: 98
Held by singer and actress Betty Buckley, the short form of Elizabeth ranked just No. 1,254 among female babies in 2014.
Rita
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 21.9
Musicians per 1 Million: 1,964.4
Babies per 1 Million: 85.6
Rita, a pet form of Margarita, is held by Rita Quintero, and ranked only No. 1,382 among girls born in 2014.
Anita
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 22.2
Musicians per 1 Million: 1,964.4
Babies per 1 Million: 84.6
Originally a nickname for Ana, the name Anita ranked only No. 1,390 among female newborns in 2014, but is held by jazz musician Anita Baker.
Lisa
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 27.2
Musicians per 1 Million: 5,402.2
Babies per 1 Million: 191.4
Lisa, a variant of Liza and held by Lisa Marie Presley, only ranked No. 750 among baby girls in 2014.
Barbara
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 34.7
Musicians per 1 Million: 5,795.1
Babies per 1 Million: 162.5
Derived from the Latin word meaning “foreign woman,” the name shared by Barbara Mandrell ranked No. 863 in 2014.
Kim
Gender: Female
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 71.8
Musicians per 1 Million: 2,553.8
Babies per 1 Million: 35.1
Held by reality star and singer Kim Zolciak, the short form of Kimberley ranking just No. 2,577 for newborn girls.
Greg
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 106.5
Musicians per 1 Million: 1,429.1
Babies per 1 Million: 13.3
Held by famous saxophonist Greg Banaszak, the name Greg ranked No. 3,805 in 2014.
Dave
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 121.8
Musicians per 1 Million: 4,653.9
Babies per 1 Million: 37.9
Held by famous jazz musician and trombonist Dave Panichi, the name Dave ranked No. 1,883 in 2014.
Friedrich
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 134.2
Musicians per 1 Million: 1,136
Babies per 1 Million: 8.4
Meaning “peace” and “power” and held by the composer Friedrich Cerha, Friedrich was a rather unique choice among male newborns in 2014, ranking just No. 5,280.
Dieter
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 134.7
Musicians per 1 Million: 732.9
Babies per 1 Million: 5.4
Although Dieter, a name meaning “army and people,” is shared by cabaret artist Dieter Hallervorden, it only ranked No. 7,132 among boys in 2014.
Philippe
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 138.4
Musicians per 1 Million: 1,575.7
Babies per 1 Million: 11.3
The name held by singer Philippe Katerine is very distinctive, earning the rank of No. 4,325 among male babies in 2014.
Art
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 141.9
Musicians per 1 Million: 842.8
Babies per 1 Million: 5.9
Though shared by legendary artist Art Garfunkel, the name defined as “bear and champion” ranked just No. 6,615 among boys in 2014.
Michel
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 148
Musicians per 1 Million: 1,832.2
Babies per 1 Million: 12.3
Uncommon for boys in the U.S., the name Michel — held by composer Michel Legrand — earned the rank of No. 4,059 among male newborns in 2014.
Stan
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 156
Musicians per 1 Million: 769.5
Babies per 1 Million: 4.9
Shared by saxophonist Stan Harrison, the name remains uncommon among male babies in 2014, ranking just No. 7,981.
Bill
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 160.4
Musicians per 1 Million: 3,664.5
Babies per 1 Million: 22.7
Held by singer Bill Hudson, the name ranked only No. 2,605 among baby boys in 2014.
Chuck
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 176.5
Musicians per 1 Million: 1,136
Babies per 1 Million: 6.4
Despite being held by the renowned artist Chuck Berry, the pet form of Charles was a distinctive choice for male newborns in 2014, ranking just No. 6,321.
Georges
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 182.2
Musicians per 1 Million: 806.2
Babies per 1 Million: 4.4
Held by the late composer Georges Bizet, this unique name ranked No. 8,300 among boys in 2014.
Werner
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 205.7
Musicians per 1 Million: 806.2
Babies per 1 Million: 3.9
Defined as “army,” the name of famed jazz musician Werner Neumann was a very distinctive choice for boys born in 2014, ranking No. 9,512.
Rob
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 216.7
Musicians per 1 Million: 1,502.4
Babies per 1 Million: 6.9
Shared by rock stars like Rob Zombie, the short form of Robert is a rather unique choice as a given name, earning the rank of No. 6,195 among male newborns in 2014.
Ernst
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 266.6
Musicians per 1 Million: 952.8
Babies per 1 Million: 3.6
The name held by the late singer Ernst Busch, Ernst — derived from the German word meaning “serious business” and “fight to the death” — hasn’t been given to more than four baby boys in the U.S. since 2013.
Hermann
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 292.2
Musicians per 1 Million: 732.9
Babies per 1 Million: 2.5
Meaning “army” and “man,” and shared by multitalented musician Hermann van Veen, the name ranked No. 12,676 among male babies in 2014.
Phil
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 315.8
Musicians per 1 Million: 1,868.9
Babies per 1 Million: 5.9
The short form of Philip and held by iconic rocker Phil Collins, the name only ranked No. 6,912 among boys in 2014.
Rolf
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 321.5
Musicians per 1 Million: 806.2
Babies per 1 Million: 2.5
Rolf, meaning “fame and wolf,” ranked only No. 13,566 among male newborns in 2014, and is shared by musician Rolf Harris.
Pat
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 321.5
Musicians per 1 Million: 806.2
Babies per 1 Million: 2.5
Shared by singer Pat Boone, the nickname for Patrick ranked just No. 13,431 among baby boys in 2014.
Doug
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 338.7
Musicians per 1 Million: 1,209.3
Babies per 1 Million: 3.6
Though held by musicians like Doug Sahm, the name remains uncommon — no more than four baby boys have received the name since 2013.
Al
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 338.9
Musicians per 1 Million: 2,345.3
Babies per 1 Million: 6.9
Held by the late Al Jolson — an actor and singer — the name Al is used more as a nickname than a given name, ranking just No. 5,963 among male newborns in 2014.
Franz
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 440.1
Musicians per 1 Million: 2,381.9
Babies per 1 Million: 5.4
The German form of Francesco, the name held by composer Franz Waxman earned the rank of No. 7,160 among male newborns in 2014.
Georg
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 440.9
Musicians per 1 Million: 1,502.4
Babies per 1 Million: 3.4
Georg, a name held by musicians like Georg Ots, remains uncommon and ranked No. 9,924 in 2014.
Ed
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 487.6
Musicians per 1 Million: 1,465.8
Babies per 1 Million: 3
Ed, a nickname for Edward and shared by rapper Ed Skrein, is seldom used, and ranked No. 11,018 among baby boys in 2014.
Dick
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 711.8
Musicians per 1 Million: 1,722.3
Babies per 1 Million: 2.4
The name Dick, held by icons like Dick Van Dyke, ranked only No. 11,466 in 2014.
Bob
Gender: Male
Times More Likely to Be a Musician: 1,354.9
Musicians per 1 Million: 4,067.6
Babies per 1 Million: 3
Made famous by the great Bob Marley, the short form of Robert wasn’t commonly used as a given name for male babies in 2014, ranking just No. 10,796.
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