A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Tennille since 1975
Babies named Tennille per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 1,551 |
| 1980s | 479 |
| 1990s | 70 |
| 2000s | 60 |
| 2010s | 12 |
| 2020s | 12 |
Meaning & origin
Tennille is a modern American given name that emerged in the mid-1970s. It first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1975, and its popularity surged almost immediately, peaking in 1976 coinciding with the rise of singer Toni Tennille of the duo Captain & Tennille. In its peak year, the name was significantly more common than it is today; after a period of decline, it has been rising again since 2022. The name is predominantly feminine, and its etymology ties to the French surname tradition. It remains a distinctive choice, now borne by roughly 1 in 321,453 newborns.
Tennille is a modern American coinage, likely derived from the French surname Tennille, which itself may be a variant of Tenniel or Tannehill. The name first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1975, coinciding with the popularity of the singer Toni Tennille of the duo Captain & Tennille. The name is often considered a feminine given name, possibly influenced by the -ille suffix seen in names like Camille.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Tennie
Sibling names for Tennille
Names that share Tennille's style, for a brother or sister.
