Whitney
How to say it: WHIT-nee · /ˈwɪtni/
From an Old English place name meaning 'white island' (hwit + eg). Popularized as a given name in the 20th century.
Whitney was the 919th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 238 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1980s, its births are down about 46% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #998 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #919 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 238 |
| Share of births | 1 in 13,930 |
| Peak decade | 1980s |
| Change over 10 years | −46% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #998 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,541 among girls’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Popularity gathered to the 1980s for Whitney, which now stands far below that crest and keeps fading. Further decline is expected in the next few years.
What goes with it
Mellow yet crisp with soft and sharp sounds together, it has a smooth rhythm. Courtney feels kindred, along with Brooke.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Whitney is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French.
In France: #2,541 for girls in 2025.
Famous people named Whitney
- Whitney Houston (1963–2012)American singer, actress, and film producer
- Whitney Wolfe Herd (born 1989)American businesswoman
- Whitney Cummings (born 1982)American actress, comedian and writer
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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