Whitney
Whitney is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
White island.
Origin and history
Whitney originated as an Old English place name and surname meaning 'white island'. It transitioned into a popular given name in the United States during the late 20th century, particularly for girls. While its usage has dropped since its peak in the 1980s, it remains a classic American name.
Popularity in the United States
97,663 babies in the United States have been named Whitney since 1880. It ranks #383 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #957.
States where it is most popular
- TX (8.5 %)
- CA (6.5 %)
- TN (4.4 %)
- GA (4.3 %)
- KY (4.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 30 |
| 1940-1950 | 95 |
| 1950-1960 | 122 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,147 |
| 1970-1980 | 5,003 |
| 1980-1990 | 44,373 |
| 1990-2000 | 32,886 |
| 2000-2010 | 7,182 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,323 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,502 |
Famous people named Whitney
- Whitney Houston: Singer, Actress
- Whitney Cummings: Comedian, Actress
Nicknames
Whit
Fun facts
- Whitney was originally a habitional surname derived from places in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, England.
- The name reached its highest popularity in the United States during the mid-to-late 1980s.