Holding steady.
Popularity of Penne since 1939
Babies named Penne per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 134 |
| 1950s | 107 |
| 1960s | 226 |
| 1970s | 13 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Penne first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1939, a mid-20th century invention that likely drew inspiration from the fashionable sound of Penny or from the familiar pasta shape. Its peak year was 1962, though it remained too rare to register a national rank or a one-in-N figure. The name has shown a stable trajectory ever since, never achieving widespread use. With no association to any particular state or cultural tradition, Penne remains a quirky, spur-of-the-moment choice that has largely faded from the naming landscape.
Penne first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1939, likely as a creative respelling of Penny or an invention inspired by the Italian pasta name. It saw its peak usage in 1962 and has remained rare, never ranking among the top 1000 names.
Sibling names for Penne
Names that share Penne's style, for a brother or sister.
