Declining since 1987.
Popularity of Whittney since 1979
Babies named Whittney per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 749 |
| 1990s | 695 |
| 2000s | 157 |
| 2010s | 27 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Whittney is a variant spelling of Whitney, a name that experienced a notable surge in popularity during the 1980s. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1979 and reached its peak in 1986, the same year Whitney Houston's debut album was released, though the name's trajectory shows a steady decline beginning in 1987, with usage falling sharply in subsequent decades. While never a top 100 name, Whittney's rarity makes it a distinctive choice, and its connection to the more common Whitney gives it a familiar feel without widespread use.
Whittney is a variant spelling of Whitney, an English surname derived from a place name meaning 'white island' or 'white enclosure' (Old English hwit 'white' + eg 'island' or ea 'river'). Historically used as a surname for families from places named Whitney in Herefordshire and Oxfordshire. As a given name, Whitney rose in popularity for girls in the 1980s, with the variant Whittney emerging as a less common spelling.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Whit
Variants: Whitney
Sibling names for Whittney
Names that share Whittney's style, for a brother or sister.
