Declining since 2009, #1,144 for girls today.
Popularity of Libby since 1881
Babies named Libby per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 49 |
| 1890s | 128 |
| 1900s | 205 |
| 1910s | 809 |
| 1920s | 772 |
| 1930s | 951 |
| 1940s | 1,168 |
| 1950s | 1,669 |
| 1960s | 2,070 |
| 1970s | 1,120 |
| 1980s | 887 |
| 1990s | 1,214 |
| 2000s | 2,863 |
| 2010s | 2,754 |
| 2020s | 1,307 |
Meaning & origin
Libby has been in consistent use since at least 1881, when it first appeared in Social Security records. Its popularity reached a peak in 2010, but it has been on a gradual decline since 2009. In the most recent year (2025), it ranked 1144th, with approximately 1 in 7957 baby girls receiving the name. The name is most prevalent in New York, Arkansas, and South Carolina, reflecting its distribution across different regions of the United States. As a diminutive of Elizabeth, Libby retains a classic charm while feeling approachable and friendly, making it a familiar yet not overly common choice.
Libby originated as a pet form of Elizabeth, which comes from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning 'God is my oath' or 'God's abundance.' The nickname became an independent given name in its own right, particularly in English-speaking countries, and has been used since at least the 19th century.
Where Libby 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.
“Libby” around the world
Where Libby lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Quebec
10
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lib
Sibling names for Libby
Names that share Libby's style, for a brother or sister.
