Declining since 2005, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Chesnee since 1986
Babies named Chesnee per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 6 |
| 1990s | 30 |
| 2000s | 100 |
| 2010s | 70 |
| 2020s | 22 |
Meaning & origin
Chesnee is a modern American name that first appeared in Social Security records in 1986. It is likely a respelling of Chesney, an Irish surname meaning 'oak grove,' but the -ee ending gives it a contemporary feel. The name saw its highest usage in 2004, when it reached its peak rank, and has been declining since 2005. As of 2025, it remains very uncommon, with only about 1 in 321,453 newborns receiving the name. Chesnee has not been recorded in any top states, suggesting it is used sporadically across the country. Its similarity to trendy surnames like Brinley and Bentley places it within the modern invented name category.
Chesnee first appeared in U.S. records in 1986, likely as a respelling or feminization of the Irish surname Chesney, which itself derives from the Old French word for 'oak grove' (chesnai). However, the -ee ending suggests it was coined as a distinctive modern name rather than a traditional variant. Its usage peaked in 2004 and has since declined, remaining rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ches, Nee
Sibling names for Chesnee
Names that share Chesnee's style, for a brother or sister.
