Declining since 1985, #3,975 for girls today.
Popularity of Becky since 1880
Babies named Becky per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 54 |
| 1890s | 35 |
| 1900s | 49 |
| 1910s | 165 |
| 1920s | 392 |
| 1930s | 1,058 |
| 1940s | 7,727 |
| 1950s | 24,837 |
| 1960s | 29,601 |
| 1970s | 14,309 |
| 1980s | 5,929 |
| 1990s | 1,449 |
| 2000s | 615 |
| 2010s | 467 |
| 2020s | 211 |
Meaning & origin
Becky is a classic diminutive of Rebecca that enjoyed peak popularity in the mid-20th century. According to Social Security data, Becky reached its highest rank in 1959, when it was a common choice for baby girls. Since 1985, its usage has steadily declined, and by 2025 it ranked 3975, with only about 1 in 44,646 newborns receiving the name. The name was most popular in Tennessee, reflecting a regional preference in the 1950s. While less common today, Becky retains a nostalgic, friendly feel as a standalone name derived from the biblical Rebecca.
Becky originated as a diminutive of Rebecca, a name of Hebrew origin from the Bible. Rebecca (Rivkah in Hebrew) appears in the Book of Genesis as the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau. The meaning is often given as 'to bind' or 'to tie,' though this is debated. Becky became an independent given name in the English-speaking world by the 19th century, commonly used as a familiar form.
Where Becky is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Becky
Names that share Becky's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Becky
Names whose popularity has moved with Becky's over the last 50 years.
