Ting
Primarily a girl's name of Chinese origin with 73 recorded births. Also given to 15 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Ting is a girl's and boy's baby name of Chinese origin, meaning 'graceful' or 'slender and pretty' from the Chinese character 婷 (tíng). It also shares a sound with the character for 庭 (courtyard) or 亭 (pavilion), conveying images of elegant, carefully tended spaces.
Ting is a name of pure, crystalline simplicity — one syllable, yet full of graceful imagery. It is widely used in Chinese-speaking communities and carries a delicate, poised quality that parents drawn to short, musical names and East Asian heritage find deeply appealing.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Ting is a girl's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (1984–2006). Its Chinese roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 73 total births, Ting exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ting has 11+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1984.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 35 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 17 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 21 | — |
The Story of Ting
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1984, Ting is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Ting are most likely born between 1984 and 1994.
How rare is Ting?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Ting is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1984, peaked in the 2000s with 35 births that decade.
Ting by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(11 years, 1984–2006)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 5 | #19845 |
| 2003 | 9 | #11261 |
| 2002 | 8 | #12112 |
| 2001 | 7 | #13400 |
| 2000 | 6 | #14895 |
| 1997 | 7 | #11992 |
| 1993 | 5 | #15635 |
| 1990 | 5 | #15107 |
| 1989 | 5 | #14405 |
| 1988 | 7 | #10318 |
| 1984 | 9 | #7371 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Ting as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Ting has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 15 births since 1992.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ting a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ting most popular?
How popular is the name Ting?
Can Ting be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1984–2006