Namsor, the #1 AI for name origin, ethnicity & gender detection

Namsor is the global leader in morphological analysis of names. Our breakthrough technology identifies a name's origin, gender, and ethnicity with unmatched precision. The definitive reference for international scientific and academic communities, we set the industry standards that others follow.

600+Research contributions

99.99%Names availability

11B billionsNames processed

What can namsor estimate from a name?

Analyze names to estimate gender, cultural origins, and ethnicities. Determine likely country of residence and religious background. For Indian names, identify caste groups. Classify name types (personal, place, alias) and transliterate between writing systems. Parse and format full names and much more.

All the information that Namsor can estimate from a name.

Namsor features

Gender

Determines the gender of a first or full name. Returns the probability that the name is more likely to be male or female.

You can improve accuracy by adding local context.

Gender checker

Origin

Identify the geographical origin of a last name, first name, or full name.

Origin refers to the country where a person, their parents, or ancestors are from. Our system analyzes this origin using a classification of 192 countries to determine the geographical roots of names.

Origin finder

Diaspora

Estimate diaspora/ethnicity from names and local context.

Diaspora is a way to categorize people. It focuses on cultural expression and where they come from. It groups individuals by their shared national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural backgrounds.

Ethnicity guesser

Residence country

Infer the country of residence from names.

Country of residence refers to where a person has lived most of the past 12 months. This approach is more accurate than estimating nationality, since nationality is a legal status often disconnected from actual location and current name usage patterns.

Nationality guesser

U.S. race/ethnicity

Identify the U.S. race/ethnicity from a name.

The U.S. race and ethnicity system has six categories. This classification comes from the U.S. Census. It reflects a social definition of race, based on shared social, cultural, and possibly physical traits.

U.S. race/ethnicity finder

Indian caste group & religion

Identifies Indian caste group from a name. It is a classification in 4 caste groups: ST, SC, OBC, general.

Estimate the most likely religion from names. Estimation among Muslim, Jain, Christian, Hinduism, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi.

Caste group & religion finder

Name type recognition

Identify the type of a proper noun.

Automatically analyze proper nouns to determine whether they are personal names (anthroponym), brand names, geographic names (toponym), or pseudonyms. This classification helps distinguish between different categories of proper nouns based on their usage and nature.

Proper noun type guesser

Split a full name

Identify the first name and the family name from an unsplit full name.

Full name separation can be improved by adding a country of residence.

Full name splitter

Format phone number

Process first names, surnames, and telephone numbers to identify telephone prefixes and country codes.

Then, analyze the structure of phone numbers and check their validity.

Phone number formatter

Custom models built for your needs

We develop tailor-made AI models based on your data, region, and analytical goals. Below are real examples of custom solutions we've delivered for world-class organizations.

Social Research Modeling

We built a custom model for the World Bank and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to estimate caste groupings from Indian names — enabling research on internal migration and social inequalities.

Name Transliteration Engine

We created a high-precision transliteration model for cross-border identity providers to convert Mandarin and Kanji names into Latin scripts — improving international interoperability.

Risk & Policy Intelligence

We developed a custom model for international risk analysts to support geopolitical analysis, compliance monitoring, and decision-making based on onomastic intelligence.

Request a custom model

How namsor estimate origin and gender from names?

Experts in natural language processing (NLP) for over 10 years, we have developed an AI specialized in onomastics - the scientific study of proper names. This expertise is built on deep morphological analysis of name structures and patterns across cultures.

Example of a basic morphological analysis of the Sharma surname.

Natural Language Processing: A branch of AI that combines linguistics and computer science to help machines understand, interpret, and generate human language.
Onomastics: The scientific study of names, focusing on their origin, meaning, history, and usage across different cultures and languages.
Morphological name analysis: The analysis of the internal structure of names—such as prefixes, suffixes, and roots—to uncover their linguistic origin and cultural significance.

At Namsor, we use these principles through artificial intelligence specialising in the analysis of proper nouns. It accurately identifies gender and ethnic backgrounds based on name structure. This tool is essential for researchers, businesses, and organizations requiring precise onomastic intelligence.

Is Namsor the best tool for analysing names?

Namsor's specialized onomastics stands out when compared to LLMs, databases, and other name analysis tools.

	Namsor	Data base comparaison	Large Language Model (LLM)	Onomastic solutions
Accuracy
Language coverage
Names covered	99.99%	75% to 92% (depending on the solution)	80% to 95% (depending on the models)	99.99%
Distinguishes typos from cultural nuances	✓	✕	✕	⯁
Specialised onomastic analysis	Expert approach (morphology, context)	None (gross indexation)	Generic (not dedicated to names)	Partial
Taxonomy segmentation	Very high (origin, ethnicity, location, U.S. race ethnicity, etc.)	Low (origin, location)	Low (Poor understanding of different taxonomies)	Low (origin, location)
Data updates	Continuous (data & algorithms)	Sporadic	Non priority	Irregular
Speed of analysis per name (lower is better)	0.01 sec.	0.01 sec.	From 1 sec. to 5sec.	0.03 sec.
User-friendliness	Very high (API, CSV/Excel, SDK)	Very high (API, CSV/Excel, SDK)	Very low (no dedicated API or tools)	Low (API only)
Privacy and anonymity	Very high (Anonymisable data, deactivatable machine learning)	Medium (No anonimisation of data)	Very low (Data retention and compulsory machine learning)	Low (Data retention)

How our name checking tools are designed

From assembling our data sets to continuous learning, each step is designed to optimize our estimations.

1
Large-scale data collection and preparation
After one decade of research, we've compiled high-quality databases. They include billions of names from various cultures and languages.
2
Training our onomastic AI models
We train our models in onomastics, which is the study of proper names. We combine insights from linguistics and morphology.
3
Model comparison and validation
We test many models in parallel using specialized metrics to catch potential errors. The team refines and retains only the best-performing models for maximum reliability.
4
Continuous learning and cultural adaptation
Our models evolve over time through new data and shifting cultural trends. This keeps the system accurate over time.

How to use Namsor to analyse names

Check out our API documentation. You can also analyze CSV and Excel files or download our developer tools.

API documentation

Integrate Namsor's name analysis capabilities directly into your systems using our comprehensive API documentation. This solution is perfect for large-scale projects and applications requiring real-time name processing.

Flexible integration
We provide easy guides and code examples in JavaScript, Python, Java, and Shell.
Real-time data
Enhance your platform with real-time analysis of gender, origin, and ethnicity from names.
Efficient development
Quickly build, test, and deploy onomastic features across different environments.

Explore the API documentation

Example of the Genderize Full Name feature in the Namsor API documentation.

CSV and Excel Tool

Our CSV and Excel analysis tool easily processes your small to medium name lists without any technical skills required. Upload your file, select your desired analysis type, and get instant results. Analyze gender, origin, ethnicity, diaspora and additional demographic insights.

Instant insights
Generate comprehensive reports to understand the origin of names at scale.
Quick export
Download your analysis in minutes. You can easily add it to your research or workflows.
Adapted to your needs
Ideal for academic studies, marketing segmentation, or simply refining your customer data.

Try the CSV & Excel tool now

Example of a file being processed with Namsor's spreadsheet tool.

Developer tools

Access the full power of Namsor's onomastic AI through our advanced developer tools.

Wide language support
Download our SDKs or CLIs for Java, Python, GoLang, or JavaScript.
Seamless integration
Integrate gender analysis and ethnicity detection capabilities directly into your applications using our API.
Expand possibilities
Accelerate your development process and explore innovative applications of name analysis technology.

Download developer tools

Presentation of the various Namsor SDKs and CLIs.

In what cases can onomastics be used?

Analyzing first names, surnames, and full names helps reveal details like gender, ethnicity, and country of origin. This method is useful in many fields.

Marketing

Our clients in marketing segment their campaigns across cultural and linguistic groups.

This helps them customize messages, increase engagement, and strengthen customer relationships.

Research

Top universities and research institutes use Namsor to analyze the geographical distribution, gender composition, and ethnic origin of names.

They conduct sociological, epidemiological, or demographic studies with greater accuracy.

Fighting discrimination

Public institutions and inclusive organizations incorporate Namsor to reduce biases in hiring and service allocation.

They evaluate the diversity of names and refine their processes to ensure fairness.

Historical analysis

Genealogy experts and historians use Namsor's surname origin finder.

It helps them build family trees, track royal lines, and see how surnames change over time.

Fraud prevention and KYC

Banks and financial institutions use Namsor in KYC workflows. This helps improve risk assessments and boosts compliance.

This analysis of name origin and gender helps prevent fraud and instills trust among users.

International expansion

Global companies in growth stages use data on origin, gender, and location. To identify potential markets and attract investors.

They focus on the most promising regions and secure funding more effectively.

Interior and exterior security

National security agencies incorporate Namsor's origin and gender detection to evaluate cross-border risks.

They coordinate actions with partners while respecting international regulations.

Data quality

Companies integrate name origin and gender analysis into their CRMs and databases to quickly identify naming inconsistencies.

This approach standardizes and enriches customer data while improving overall CRMs reliability.

Diaspora mapping

Governments, NGOs, and international organizations count on Namsor to pinpoint diaspora communities worldwide.

They create programs that target specific cultural or ethnic groups more effectively.

Population flows analysis

Transport hubs and government bodies harness surname data to track migratory trends.

They adjust their services to fit travelers' needs. They also plan better by understanding global mobility.

IA Act compliance

Companies use Namsor to detect biais in their AI systems. Name origin and gender analysis reveals issues early and ensures transparency.

This approach aligns with AI Act standards, fostering fair, responsible AI.

Streamlined contact forms

Clients deploy real-time name analysis to autopopulate fields like salutation or language.

This creates smoother onboarding flows and raises form completion rates.

Empowering research with ethical and secure data practices

Discover how Namsor ensures data security for meaningful research. Our user-first approach protects your data while delivering fair, transparent, and inclusive name insights.

Control of your data and anonymization

Namsor values your privacy. We give you complete control over your data.

Self-improving algorithm with secure storage (AES encryption).
Disable 'learnable' option to stop training contribution.
'Anonymized' mode with SHA encryption.
Fast processing of repeated requests.

Anonymize my data

Get total transparency into our model reasoning

The Namsor API offers the option of obtaining a detailed explanation of how the artificial intelligence arrived at its results.

Python code explanation of AI process.
Completely transparent estimation method.
Traceability of origin, gender and ethnicity.
Facilitated debugging and improvement.

Activate explainability

Ethical data collection and GDPR compliance

Namsor employs a responsible approach, limiting data collection for model training to only what is essential.

GDPR compliance and international data protection standards.
Transparency, proportionality and data minimization.
Legal, responsible and ethical data collection.
Protection of individual rights and privacy.

Support for research and social responsibility

Namsor helps unlock the value of diversity and supports ethical, inclusive research.

Collaboration with academic and scientific communities.
Support for diaspora programs.
Gender and diversity analytics (@GenderGapGrader)
Bias reduction in AI (hiring, credit, fraud detection).

Deep cultural intelligence across languages and regions

Our software supports a wide range of taxonomies and can be tailored for more specific needs.

Support for all countries, regions and languages.
Collaboration with linguists, anthropologists and historians.
Regional dialects, ethnic groups, castes.
Multiple alphabets: Cyrillic, Arabic, Devanagari, Chinese, etc.

Flexible plans for your needs

Choose your plan to enjoy Namsor's full features.

Subscriptions

Subscribe and save 30%, billed monthly - 3 month commitment

Try for free

1,000Credits to process names each month

FreeNo credit card needed to sign up

1K credits usable every month.
Above that: $0.005 per additional credit, up to a maximum of 200K additional credits per month.

PRO

10,000Credits to process names each month

$19 / month *3-month commitment

10K credits usable every month.
Above that: $0.003 per additional credit, up to a maximum of 500K additional credits per month.

Popular

ULTRA

100,000Credits to process names each month

$130 / month *3-month commitment

100K credits usable every month.
Above that: $0.002 per additional credit, up to a maximum of 2M additional credits per month.
Ratio of 1/10 credits for duplicate names

MEGA

1,000,000Credits to process names each month

$999 / month *3-month commitment

1M credits usable every month.
Above that: $0.001 per additional credit, up to a maximum of 10M additional credits per month.
Ratio of 1/20 credits for duplicate names
Live video support

ENTERPRISE

10,000,000Credits to process names each month

$5000 / month *3-month commitment

10M credits usable every month.
Above that: $0.0005 per additional credit, up to a maximum of 100M additional credits per month.
Ratio of 1/20 credits for duplicate names
Live video support
Access to the Namsor AI Explainability API, which explains how artificial intelligence arrived at the result.

You have specific needs, contact us