Declining since 2013, #1,771 for boys today.
Popularity of Channing since 1912
Babies named Channing per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 51 |
| 1920s | 0 | 127 |
| 1930s | 0 | 79 |
| 1940s | 0 | 76 |
| 1950s | 0 | 104 |
| 1960s | 10 | 235 |
| 1970s | 112 | 415 |
| 1980s | 729 | 752 |
| 1990s | 705 | 814 |
| 2000s | 685 | 767 |
| 2010s | 1,258 | 3,234 |
| 2020s | 443 | 642 |
Meaning & origin
Channing is a unisex given name that originated as an English surname. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1912 and reached its peak popularity in 2012, when it ranked highest. Since 2013, its usage has been declining. The name has the strongest regional ties to the Southern states, particularly Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. With a rank of 1,771 in 2025 and an incidence of 1 in 18,770 births, it remains a distinctive choice. Surname-names like Channing often appeal to parents seeking a name with a strong, modern sound and a touch of heritage.
Channing is a transferred use of an English surname. The surname itself may derive from the Old English personal name 'Cana', or from a diminutive of the Celtic 'can', meaning 'wolf', giving the sense of 'little wolf'. It first appeared as a given name in the 19th century and gained moderate popularity in the United States in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, partly due to the actor Channing Tatum.
Where Channing is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys 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
Nicknames: Chan
Sibling names for Channing
Names that share Channing's style, for a brother or sister.
