Boy · #3,681 in 2026

Minus

The plus sign and the minus sign are mathematical symbols used to denote positive and negative functions, respectively. In addition, the symbol + represents the operation of addition, which results in a sum, while the symbol − represents subtraction, resulting in a difference. Their use has been extended to many other meanings, more or less analogous.

Current Rank
#3,681
Peak Rank
#2,862 (1947)
Total Babies
48
5-Yr Trend
Stable
1915
First Year
1950
Last Year
1947
Peak Year
#2862
Peak Rank
48
Total Count
8
Years Active

Meaning & Origin of Minus

What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.

The plus sign and the minus sign are mathematical symbols used to denote positive and negative functions, respectively. In addition, the symbol + represents the operation of addition, which results in a sum, while the symbol − represents subtraction, resulting in a difference. Their use has been extended to many other meanings, more or less analogous.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →

Origin & history
Though the signs now seem as familiar as the alphabet or the Arabic numerals , they are not of great antiquity. The Egyptian hieroglyphic sign for addition, for example, resembles a pair of legs walking in the direction in which the text was written ( Egyptian could be written either from right to left or left to right), with the reverse sign indicating subtraction: or Nicole Oresme 's manuscripts from the 14th century show what may be one of the earliest uses of + as a sign for plus. In early 15th century Europe, the letters "P" and "M" were generally used. The symbols (P with overline, p̄ ,

The Story of Minus

Minus first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a baby boy name in 1915, with 5 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 1947, when 8 Minuss were born — ranking #2,862 that year. As of 2026, Minus ranks #3,681 for baby boys with 5 births, with steady use. In total, more than 48 Minuss have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1910s through the 2020s.

Popularity Over Time

Popularity by State

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OH
PA
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Top 10
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No data

Names that sound like Minus

Phonetically similar names — useful when Minus is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.

  • Menace
  • Minas
  • Monas
  • Mimus
  • Monus
  • Mannose
  • Mynas
  • Munus
  • Ninus
  • Manus
  • Manis
  • Mannis

Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.

Frequently Asked Questions about Minus

What does the name Minus mean?
The plus sign and the minus sign are mathematical symbols used to denote positive and negative functions, respectively. In addition, the symbol + represents the operation of addition, which results in a sum, while the symbol − represents subtraction, resulting in a difference. Their use has been extended to many other meanings, more or less analogous.
How popular is Minus in 2026?
In 2026, Minus ranks #3,681 among boys' names in the U.S., with 5 babies given the name that year.
When was Minus most popular?
Minus reached its peak popularity in 1947, ranking #2,862 that year with 8 babies given the name.
Is Minus a unisex name?
In U.S. Social Security records, Minus is primarily a boy's name. We don't have meaningful data for it as a girl's name.
What names go well with Minus?
Names that share a similar style or popularity range with Minus include Nina, Policarpio, Crandall. These pairings are based on rank proximity and naming era in U.S. data.

Similar Names

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Nina
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Policarpio
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Crandall
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Denison
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Milus
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Barnabas
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Leroi
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Lindle
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About the name Minus

Minus is a boy baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1915 and has accumulated 48 births in the dataset. Minus's peak popularity came in 1947 when it ranked #2,862. Use the chart and map above to compare Minus's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.

Continue exploring

Data sources

  • Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
  • Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
  • Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
  • Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
  • Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .

Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.