There are two ways to access the name data on behindthename.com.

This site's application programming interface (API) can be used to request data directly from behindthename.com. This is a free service for individuals and organizations.

The following functions are available:

1. look up a name (get the gender and usage)
2. retrieve a random name
3. list synonyms for a name

For more information, see the documentation.

Using the API is free, but there are usage limits so that the server does not get bogged down. You can make a maximum of:

• 2 requests per second
• 400 requests per hour
• 4,000 requests per day
• 400,000 requests per year

To use the API, you must get an API key. The first step toward obtaining a key is registering for a user account on this website (the same type of account that allows you to post on the message boards, leave comments about names, etc). All API keys are tied to a user account. After registering and logging in, the next step is to fill out a simple form. Once you have your key, you can monitor your usage from the API gateway.

Some data is available for download. It is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. This means you can freely use and distribute the data, but you must provide attribution.

The following files are available:

1. list of given names and genders
2. list of given names, genders, and synonyms (related names)
3. list of surnames

To download, see this page.