Sidney
Sidney is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Wide meadow or broad island; also associated with Saint-Denis.
Origin and history
Sidney is a given name of Old English origin, derived from a place name meaning 'wide meadow' or from the French saint name Saint-Denis. Historically a common masculine name in the Anglo-Saxon world, it is now used for all genders in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
84,202 babies in the United States have been named Sidney since 1880. It ranks #350 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1127.
States where it is most popular
- NY (14.9 %)
- TX (7 %)
- LA (6.8 %)
- PA (5.1 %)
- CA (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,505 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,612 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,981 |
| 1910-1920 | 12,793 |
| 1920-1930 | 14,201 |
| 1930-1940 | 9,420 |
| 1940-1950 | 9,608 |
| 1950-1960 | 9,632 |
| 1960-1970 | 6,844 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,817 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,333 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,829 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,729 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,991 |
| 2020-2029 | 907 |
Famous people named Sidney
- Sidney Poitier: Actor, Director
- Sidney Crosby: Athlete, Ice Hockey Player
- Sidney Lumet: Director, Producer
Nicknames
Sid, Siddie
Fun facts
- Sidney originally gained popularity as a given name in honor of the prominent English statesman Sir Philip Sidney.
- Though historically predominant as a male name in the 19th and early 20th centuries, it is widely given to both boys and girls today.