Tiffany peaked in 1988 and carries 338,560 SSA records, making it one of the defining names of the 1980s alongside Jennifer, Jessica, and Ashley. The name's Greek origin (from Theophania, meaning manifestation of God) is almost invisible today behind its cultural associations with luxury and a specific generational identity. A newborn Tiffany now stands between two eras: rare enough to feel fresh, distinctive enough to feel bold.
The Real Etymology: Theophania
Tiffany is a medieval English form of Theophania, from Greek theos (God) plus phaino (to appear, to manifest). Theophania was a feast of the Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, and children born on that day were sometimes named Tiffany in medieval England. The name predates the jewelry company by centuries. Greek theophoric names (those meaning divine manifestation) have a theological depth that's completely invisible in modern Tiffany usage, which is itself an interesting cultural observation.
Breakfast at Tiffany's and the 1980s Peak
Tiffany and Co. was founded in 1837, and Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958), along with Audrey Hepburn's 1961 film, gave the brand a specifically glamorous, aspirational cultural coating. The 1988 naming peak came nearly three decades after the film, when the luxury association had fully permeated American culture. Singer Tiffany's 1987 hit I Think We're Alone Now also contributed to the name's saturation moment. 1980s names are among the most generationally marked in American naming history.
The Tiffany Revival Question
Names that peaked in the 1980s are next on the vintage revival schedule. Jennifer, Jessica, and Tiffany are all candidates for rediscovery in the 2030s. The current rank of 842 means Tiffany is genuinely uncommon for newborns right now, exactly the condition that precedes revival interest. Against Brittany, Tiffany has more explicit luxury associations and a stronger mythology root. For parents who want to be early to the 1980s revival, this is a compelling choice.