MallowbyNames

Chardonnay

shar-duh-NAY · Derived from the name of the white wine grape variety, itself from a French place name.

Peak popularity
1991
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Chardonnay since 1985

Babies named Chardonnay per year in U.S. Social Security records.

1632481990200020102020Most births 1991Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1980s85
1990s361
2000s163
2010s34
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Chardonnay is a modern invented name inspired by the wine grape, which first surfaced on U.S. birth records in 1985. It reached its peak popularity in 1991, but since then its usage has declined significantly, reflecting the broader trend of wine names falling out of fashion. Despite being relatively rare today, the name carries a distinct association with the late 20th-century wine boom. Its trajectory remains stable at low levels, with no resurgence evident. While it never entered the top 1,000 nationally, it has seen occasional use across various states, primarily in California and other wine-producing regions.

Chardonnay is a wine name adopted as a given name, ultimately from the French village of Chardonnay in Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy. The grape variety and wine became internationally famous in the late 20th century, leading to its use as a personal name. It first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1985, aligning with the growing popularity of wine culture.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Chard, Nay

Sibling names for Chardonnay

Names that share Chardonnay's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

C is for Chardonnay, our favorite little girl.

C is for Chardonnay…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Chardonnay's letter becomes Chardonnay's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Chardonnay's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Chardonnay mean?
Chardonnay is a name borrowed from the wine grape, which comes from a French place name. It does not have a traditional personal name meaning.
How popular is the name Chardonnay today?
Chardonnay has not ranked among the top 1,000 names in the U.S. since the 1990s. It peaked in 1991 and has since become rare, with fewer than 50 births per year in recent years.
Is Chardonnay a boy or girl name?
Chardonnay is almost exclusively used as a girl's name in the United States.