Declining since 1985, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Yancy since 1886
Babies named Yancy per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1959, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Yancy's real moment was 1887.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 11 |
| 1890s | 0 | 5 |
| 1900s | 0 | 13 |
| 1910s | 0 | 65 |
| 1920s | 0 | 93 |
| 1930s | 0 | 53 |
| 1940s | 0 | 86 |
| 1950s | 0 | 202 |
| 1960s | 16 | 469 |
| 1970s | 36 | 568 |
| 1980s | 66 | 355 |
| 1990s | 118 | 276 |
| 2000s | 156 | 152 |
| 2010s | 92 | 74 |
| 2020s | 34 | 11 |
Meaning & origin
Yancy is a rare, unisex given name in the United States, first recorded in 1886. Its peak year was 1887, and since 1985 its usage has been steadily declining. Currently ranking 10,695, the name is given to approximately 1 in 284,679 newborns. The name likely originated as a variant of the surname Yancey, which itself has obscure roots possibly linked to Irish or English origins. Yancy has been rare in most states and does not appear in Social Security data for any top state. Despite its obscurity, it carries a simple, phonetic charm that appeals to parents seeking a distinctive but straightforward name.
Yancy is a name of uncertain origin. It may be a variant of the surname Yancey, which is possibly derived from an Irish surname Ó hIonnrachtaigh or an English place name. The spelling Yancy is an American coinage that has been used as a given name since the 19th century. Its popularity peaked in 1887, and it has since become a rare choice.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Yan, Yance
Sibling names for Yancy
Names that share Yancy's style, for a brother or sister.
