Declining since 2000, #635 for girls today.
Popularity of Destiny since 1956
Babies named Destiny per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 16 |
| 1960s | 137 |
| 1970s | 1,612 |
| 1980s | 6,542 |
| 1990s | 48,238 |
| 2000s | 69,815 |
| 2010s | 21,104 |
| 2020s | 4,299 |
Meaning & origin
Destiny entered the U.S. naming landscape in 1956 and rose steadily, reaching its peak in the year 2000. Since then, its popularity has been falling, but it remains a recognizable choice. The name ranks 635th in 2025, with about 1 in 3,509 girls receiving it. It has been most popular in the states of New Mexico, Nevada, and Mississippi. The name's appeal likely stems from its positive, spiritual meaning of fate or fortune, aligning with the trend of virtue names in the late 20th century.
Destiny is directly derived from the English word destiny, which comes from the Old French destinee, ultimately from the Latin destinata, meaning 'that which is firmly established.' It began to be used as a given name in the mid-20th century, likely influenced by the concept's spiritual resonance and the popularity of virtue names. The name gained momentum in the 1990s and peaked in the 2000s, especially in the United States.
Where Destiny 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.
“Destiny” around the world
Where Destiny lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Desti, Dessie, Tina
Sibling names for Destiny
Names that share Destiny's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Nevaeh, Serenity, Aaliyah, Mackenzie, Trinity, Alexis, Genesis, Journey, Miracle, Essence, Heavenly, Precious, Royalty, Unique, Blessing, Cerenity, Desiray, Divine, Empress, Jazzmin, Journei, Majesty, Markayla, Myracle, Passion, Royale, Triniti, Vanity, Cherrish, Crystel, Crystle, Danely, Desaree, Divinity, Eboney, Favour, Forever, Genessis, Gennesis, Goddess, Heiress, Infiniti, Josalynn, Kharisma, Memorie, Paradise, Promyse, Royalti, Sarenity, Secret, Sereniti, Tempestt, Treazure, Amazing, Blessed, Blessings, Chasitie, Deshae, Desirey, Desteni, Dynasty, Envy, Gift, Jermani, Keyandra, Keyondra, Mirakle, Purpose, Rakayla, Reality, Sirenity, Special, Terrionna, Trezure, Trinidy, Trinitie, Victorious, Charizma, Deshea, Carizma, Chastelyn, Comfort, Harmoney, Honestie, Jaszmine, Jazsmine, Krystol, Majesta, Majesti, Mercadez, Myrakle, Prosperity, Quantasia, Success, Trinidee, Trinnity, Tryniti
Brothers: Jayden, Aiden, Christopher, Elijah, Isaiah, Chance, Messiah, Antwon, Marquise, Prince, Chosen, Knowledge, Marquese, Martavious, Wisdom, Bless, Daequan, Deaundre, Dmarcus, Lakendrick, Majestic, Quadarius, Quantavious, Babyboy, Cortavious, Dekendrick, Donzel, Dreshaun, Famous, Jaishawn, Jashawn, Kingdavid, Kingdom, Myking, Quintarius, Reason, Cordarrius, Damontre, Darkiel, Denario, Donterrius, Dshaun, Handsome, Jadarious, Lamarco, Marquist, Marquiz, Marquon, Monterrio, Romance, Tredarius
Names like Destiny
Names whose popularity has moved with Destiny's over the last 50 years.
