Candy
Candy is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Sweet, glowing, or pure.
Origin and history
Candy originated as an English hypocoristic for Candace or Candice, which derives from the ancient Cushitic royal title Kandake. It also directly references the sweet confection, gaining popularity as an independent given name in the mid-20th century. Although its usage has declined since its peak in the 1960s and 1970s, it remains a recognized vintage name.
Popularity in the United States
28,525 babies in the United States have been named Candy since 1880. It ranks #857 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1889.
States where it is most popular
- CA (15.6 %)
- TX (8.3 %)
- OH (7.6 %)
- IL (5.8 %)
- NY (5.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 5 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 14 |
| 1920-1930 | 39 |
| 1930-1940 | 90 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,948 |
| 1950-1960 | 5,716 |
| 1960-1970 | 7,555 |
| 1970-1980 | 6,887 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,029 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,273 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,133 |
| 2010-2019 | 624 |
| 2020-2029 | 212 |
Famous people named Candy
- Candy Crowley: Journalist, News Anchor
- Candy Clark: Actress
Fun facts
- Candy originally emerged as a nickname for Candace before becoming a standalone given name in the United States.
- The name saw its highest levels of adoption in the U.S. during the 1950s through the 1970s.