Say Their Name Day is observed on March 25 each year as a remembrance and awareness day for those who have experienced pregnancy loss, stillbirth, infant death, or the death of a child.
It invites families, friends, and communities to say the names of treasured babies and children who have died — acknowledging that those lives mattered and that the grief of those left behind is real.
The campaign emphasizes breaking silence and stigma around loss, offering compassion and recognition for families who often suffer alone.
It is run by support organizations such as Red Nose (Australia; similar efforts may appear in other countries) with online memorial walls, tribute pages, and community events.
💡 Saying a child’s name publicly can be meaningful for grieving families, helping others recognize that their child existed, was loved, and deserves to be remembered.
The data below focus on the U.S. (where Say Their Name Day isn’t a formal national observance, but child loss is a public health and emotional concern):
Stillbirth: About 1 in 175 pregnancies in the U.S. ends in stillbirth — roughly 21,000 babies each year.
Infant Death: In 2023, there were over 20,000 infant deaths (before age 1), with a national infant mortality rate of ~5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Perinatal Deaths: Combined fetal deaths (stillbirth) and early infant deaths (0–6 days) accounted for about 8.36 per 1,000 births and fetal deaths in 2023.
Note: Pregnancy loss that ends before a certain gestational age (e.g., miscarriage before 20 weeks) isn’t captured in stillbirth statistics — and miscarriages are far more common (estimates often cited are that up to 10–20% of known pregnancies end in early loss, though precise national surveillance is limited).
Younger Children (1–4): ~4,000 deaths with a rate of ~27 per 100,000 population.
Older Children (5–14): ~6,000 deaths with a rate of ~15 per 100,000 population.
For children and teens through age 17, injuries — including unintentional injuries, vehicle crashes, and firearm injuries — are among the leading causes of death.
An estimated 1 in 14 U.S. children (about 5.2 million) will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18, with many more children experiencing grandparents or other caregivers’ losses.
In a survey of bereaved parents (majority in Australia, but reflective of universal themes), many families reported that friends and family often do not acknowledge their baby or child’s existence, which patients said intensified feelings of isolation. ~20 % shared this experience.
A significant number felt that more supportive care and open acknowledgment from healthcare workers and communities would have eased some of their grief.
This illustrates why remembering and openly saying names — like on Say Their Name Day — can be so meaningful.
The Compassionate Friends – Peer support after the death of a child (all ages).
March of Dimes – Information on stillbirth and infant loss, including support resources.
Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support – Support for miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss.
Judi’s House & Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model – Data and support for children grieving significant losses.
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 — available 24/7 in the U.S. (chat or call), including support for those in distress related to grief and loss.
Local bereavement support groups — many hospitals, hospices, and community centers offer grief counseling or peer support groups.
Organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide ongoing data and research on pregnancy outcomes, infant health, and child mortality to inform prevention and support efforts.
Advocacy groups work on policy, improved bereavement care protocols, and public awareness to reduce stigma and improve family support.
📆 Say Their Name Day (March 25) is a remembrance and awareness day aimed at honoring children and babies lost through pregnancy, stillbirth, infant death, or child death.
📊 In the U.S., pregnancy loss and infant/child death are tragically common — with tens of thousands of stillbirths and infant deaths reported annually and millions of children affected by family bereavement.
🤝 Recognizing loss openly and offering community support matters — both emotionally and socially — in helping bereaved families heal.