Have you ever met someone who shares your birthday—or maybe no one does? While some birth dates seem to be everywhere, others are surprisingly rare.
So, what is the rarest birthday?
The rarest birthday is February 29th
Based on birth data collected from hospitals, insurance companies, and government records in the U.S., certain days consistently rank as the least common birthdays of the year. These rare dates usually fall on major holidays or during months with fewer births overall.
Let’s uncover the real numbers.
Top 10 Rarest Birthdays in the Year
| Rank | Date | Why It’s Rare |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | December 25 | Christmas – fewer hospital deliveries |
| 2 | January 1 | New Year’s Day – planned births avoided |
| 3 | December 24 | Christmas Eve – holidays affect births |
| 4 | July 4 | Independence Day (USA) – low birth rates |
| 5 | January 2 | Right after a holiday |
| 6 | December 26 | Day after Christmas – scheduling delays |
| 7 | November 27 | Often lands on Thanksgiving |
| 8 | November 23 | Near Thanksgiving – planned delays |
| 9 | January 30 | End of slow birth month |
| 10 | October 31 | Halloween – some parents avoid this date |
Most rare birthdays fall on or around holidays, when families and hospitals tend to schedule fewer births. Many C-sections and inductions are avoided on days like:
- Christmas (Dec 25)
- New Year’s Day (Jan 1)
- Thanksgiving (late November)
- Independence Day (July 4)
Also, natural births can be delayed or scheduled differently around holidays, making these days stand out as less common.
Other Interesting Birthday Facts
- September has the most birthdays overall. In contrast, December and January have the fewest.
- September 9, 19, and 12 are among the most common birthdays in the U.S.
- Many parents avoid Halloween, Christmas, and New Year’s for planned births.
FAQ
Q1: What is officially the rarest birthday in the U.S.?
A: December 25 (Christmas Day) is the rarest, based on national birth data.
Q2: Is February 29 rarer than December 25?
A: Technically, yes. February 29 only occurs once every four years. But in terms of annual frequency, December 25 remains the rarest regular birth date.
Q3: Why are holiday birthdays less common?
A: Many hospitals reduce elective procedures on holidays. Plus, some parents prefer not to have children born on major holidays.
Q4: Which months have the least births?
A: February and December consistently record the fewest births each year.
Final Thoughts
If your birthday falls on December 25, January 1, or July 4, congratulations — you share one of the rarest birthdays of the year. These dates are special not just for the holidays they represent, but also because very few people are born on them.