Happiness
A girl's name of Old English origin with 112 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
The emotion of being happy; joy; elation.
Happiness is a girl's baby name of Old English origin, a pure word name meaning exactly what it says — the emotion of joy, contentment, and wellbeing. It is used as a given name primarily in West African communities, particularly in Nigeria and Ghana, where word names expressing positive emotions and gratitude are cherished naming traditions.
Happiness is a name that makes the whole purpose of naming explicit — a parent's single, most fundamental wish for their child, spoken aloud every time the name is called.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Happiness is rooted in the Old English tradition, but its presence in American naming since 2013 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Happiness’s rarity (112 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Happiness has 11+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2013.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 53 | #9998 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 59 | #10816 | — |
The Story of Happiness
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2019, Happiness is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Happiness are most likely born between 2013 and 2024.
How rare is Happiness?
Only about 1 in every 276,923 babies born in 2024 was named Happiness — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2013, peaked in the 2010s with 59 births that decade, and continues to thrive.
Happiness by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(11 years, 2013–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | #8093 |
| 2023 | 6 | #14037 |
| 2022 | 13 | #8214 |
| 2021 | 13 | #8187 |
| 2020 | 8 | #11457 |
| 2019 | 14 | #7877 |
| 2018 | 12 | #8821 |
| 2017 | 9 | #11021 |
| 2016 | 9 | #11188 |
| 2014 | 7 | #13581 |
| 2013 | 8 | #12410 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Happiness a boy's or girl's name?
When was Happiness most popular?
How popular is the name Happiness?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2013–2024