Holding steady.
Popularity of Dabney since 1897
Babies named Dabney per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 | 6 |
| 1900s | 0 | 0 |
| 1910s | 0 | 23 |
| 1920s | 0 | 53 |
| 1930s | 0 | 33 |
| 1940s | 22 | 33 |
| 1950s | 46 | 31 |
| 1960s | 38 | 26 |
| 1970s | 80 | 16 |
| 1980s | 63 | 0 |
| 1990s | 56 | 5 |
| 2000s | 32 | 6 |
| 2010s | 49 | 0 |
| 2020s | 5 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Dabney is a rare given name in the United States, first recorded in 1947. Its peak year was 1973, with a rank of 1666th for girls, and it has since declined in usage. The name is unusual in that it saw a brief period of modest favor in the 1970s but has not experienced a revival in subsequent decades. As of the latest data from 2025, it remains uncommon. The name's trajectory has been stable, with no significant upward or downward trend. While no top states are associated with Dabney, its usage has been scattered across the country. For parents seeking a distinctive surname-style name with a vintage feel, Dabney offers a rare choice with a soft, feminine sound via the '-ney' ending.
Dabney is derived from an English surname of Norman French origin, from a place name such as D'Aubigny (from Aubigny in Normandy). As a given name, it has been used for both boys and girls since the early 20th century, though its popularity peaked for girls in the 1970s in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dab, Dabs
Sibling names for Dabney
Names that share Dabney's style, for a brother or sister.
