Holding steady, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Woody since 1882
Babies named Woody per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 27 |
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 12 |
| 1910s | 160 |
| 1920s | 206 |
| 1930s | 305 |
| 1940s | 910 |
| 1950s | 813 |
| 1960s | 577 |
| 1970s | 471 |
| 1980s | 287 |
| 1990s | 212 |
| 2000s | 92 |
| 2010s | 79 |
| 2020s | 80 |
Meaning & origin
Woody is a distinctly masculine name with a rugged, outdoorsy feel. First recorded in 1882, it reached its peak popularity in 1944. Though never common, it has remained in steady but sparse use, with a modern rank of 7,679 in 2025 (about 1 in 170,808 boys). The name carries a classic American cowboy charm, helped by its association with the Woody character from the Toy Story films, though that connection is not officially part of the name's history. Woody has not seen a revival in recent decades and remains a rare choice, appealing to parents seeking a down-to-earth, nature-inspired name.
Woody originated as a nickname for someone living near a wood or clearing, or as a diminutive of names like Woodrow and Elwood. It has been in use as a given name since the 19th century, often associated with the American West and cowboy culture.
“Woody” around the world
Where Woody lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Wood
Variants: Woodie
Sibling names for Woody
Names that share Woody's style, for a brother or sister.
