Declining since 1987, #1,043 for girls today.
Popularity of Whitney since 1884
Babies named Whitney per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 17 |
| 1890s | 0 | 21 |
| 1900s | 0 | 59 |
| 1910s | 0 | 334 |
| 1920s | 0 | 434 |
| 1930s | 30 | 327 |
| 1940s | 95 | 416 |
| 1950s | 122 | 507 |
| 1960s | 2,147 | 786 |
| 1970s | 5,003 | 834 |
| 1980s | 44,373 | 1,629 |
| 1990s | 32,886 | 302 |
| 2000s | 7,182 | 146 |
| 2010s | 4,323 | 92 |
| 2020s | 1,502 | 90 |
Meaning & origin
Whitney is an English name with a long history as a surname and place name, first recorded as a given name in 1936. It reached peak popularity in 1986, ranking high nationally, but has since seen a steady decline, falling to rank 1043 by 2025. The name is given to about 1 in 6753 girls today. Its strongest popularity has been in states like Maine, Massachusetts, and Iowa. Whitney exemplifies the trend of surname-inspired names that flourished in the 1980s before gradually fading from the top tiers.
Whitney is a transferred use of an English surname, which in turn comes from place names in Herefordshire and Oxfordshire. The place name derives from Old English hwit 'white' and eg 'island' or ea 'river', so it likely referred to a white island or a white river meadow. As a given name, it was first used in the 19th century and gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly for girls.
Where Whitney 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.
“Whitney” around the world
Where Whitney lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Whit, Whitney
Sibling names for Whitney
Names that share Whitney's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Ashley, Brittany, Courtney, Lauren, Megan, Leslie, Tiffany, Britany, Brittani, Britteny, Brittni, Chelsie, Kassie, Lacee, Britnee, Brittaney, Brittnay, Brittnee, Chanell, Chelsee, Kimberlyn, Lindsy, Whitley, Britanie, Britnie, Channell, Courteney, Courtni, Jenilee, Lindsi, Lindsie, Lynsi, Shelbee, Tiffeny, Tiffney, Timberly, Kandyce, Keslie, Kortnee, Krystalynn, Lindey, Taffany, Tiphany, Bridney, Britainy, Brithney, Britnay, Brittanni, Cheridan, Hilliary, Karilynn, Kristalynn, Leslea, Lynsee, Shelbylynn
Brothers: Brandon, Ryan, Tyler, Justin, Kevin, Bradley, Dustin, Britt, Rayfield, Arnell, Chadrick, Derrik, Hampton, Jarret, Terrel, Trevis, Gerrick, Jerid, Chaddrick, Jeret, Lowery, Cleburne, Grantland, Stepfon, Wane
Names like Whitney
Names whose popularity has moved with Whitney's over the last 50 years.
