Holding steady.
Popularity of Floy since 1880
Babies named Floy per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Floy's real moment was 1889.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 395 |
| 1890s | 699 |
| 1900s | 774 |
| 1910s | 1,557 |
| 1920s | 1,560 |
| 1930s | 925 |
| 1940s | 459 |
| 1950s | 186 |
| 1960s | 50 |
| 1970s | 7 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Floy is a name that saw its peak in 1889, during a period when short, sweet names like Mae and Pearl were fashionable. Though it never ranked among the top names, it appeared consistently in U.S. birth records from 1880 through the early 1900s, with a stable trajectory before fading. The name's origin is somewhat uncertain; it may be a clipped form of Florence, which enjoyed popularity in the same era, or a feminine variant of Floyd. With no top states recorded and a rank that never broke into national prominence, Floy remains a rare curiosity from a bygone naming era. Its 1-in-N incidence is not available, underscoring how uncommon it has become. Today, parents rediscovering vintage names might consider Floy for its simplicity and historical charm.
Floy is a short form or variant of Florence, a name from Latin Florentius (masculine) or Florentia (feminine), meaning 'blooming' or 'prosperous.' It may also be a feminine diminutive of Floyd, a surname derived from the Welsh 'Lloyd' (gray-haired). The name saw modest use in the late 19th century, particularly in the United States, but has since fallen out of common use.
Where Floy 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.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Floye
Sibling names for Floy
Names that share Floy's style, for a brother or sister.
