Blythe

An uncommon Old English pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysOld EnglishRising fast Also a pet name
#1862 7in 2024

Meaning & Origin

Any of a number of places in England and the United States. A city in Riverside County, California, United States. A minor city in Richmond County, Georgia, United States. A township in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States, named after Calvin Blythe. A river in Warwickshire and West Midlands, England, which joins the River Tame north-east of Coleshill, Warwickshire.

Blythe is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old English origin, from the Old English bliðe meaning 'joyful,' 'cheerful,' or 'gentle.' In medieval England, Blythe described a person of sunny, carefree temperament — it's a name that carries its meaning in its very sound.

Over 5,076 U.S. births are recorded. Blythe has a rare, literary elegance — actress Blythe Danner (mother of Gwyneth Paltrow) has been the name's most prominent contemporary bearer. It's a name of gentle happiness that feels both antique and surprisingly modern.

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Popularity Over Time

Blythe climbed 450 spots in the last 20 years — from #2312 to #1862.

044871311741900192019401960198020002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Blythe
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s494
2010s1,378
2000s720
1990s512
1980s687
1970s583
1960s238
1950s218
1940s97
1930s38
1920s58
1910s41
1900s6
1890s6

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(104 years, 18972024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Blythe
YearBirthsRank
2024107#1862
2023108#1855
202295#2037
202197#1994
202087#2102
2019141#1531
201899#1979
2017117#1781
2016168#1387
2015153#1495
2014169#1371
2013174#1338
2012165#1397
2011106#1888
201086#2239
200987#2245
200878#2445
200764#2827
200665#2730
200579#2280

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Blythe as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Blythe has also been given to 263 boys in the U.S. since 1915.

#11089
Current rank
263
Total births
2000
Peak year
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Frequently Asked

Can Blythe be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Blythe is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #1862. As a boy's name, it ranks #11089.

Blythe has two lives

Blythe, the baby name
#1862girls
5,076 babies
Currently viewing
Blythe, the pet name
#8192pet name
7 pets
View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (18972024) · Methodology