Is Whitney a boy's or girl's name?

Whitney is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 5,979 recorded births.

When was Whitney most popular?

Whitney reached its peak popularity in 1986 with 9,536 births that year. It is currently ranked #1050 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Whitney?

Whitney is currently ranked #1050 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 97,424 babies since 1936.

Whitney

An uncommon Middle English pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysMiddle EnglishDeclining Also a pet name

#1050▼ 69in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A habitational surname from Middle English.

Whitney is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old English origin, from a surname derived from a place name meaning 'white island' or 'white water,' from the Old English hwit (white) and eg (island).

Whitney Houston transformed this surname-turned-first-name into one of the most iconic in American music history. After her rise in the 1980s, Whitney shot up the baby name charts dramatically — one of the clearest examples of a single artist reshaping naming trends. Even decades after its peak, the name carries the unmistakable warmth and power of her voice.

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Popularity Over Time

Whitney was #450 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1050, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Whitney
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,264	#1010	▼
2010s	4,323	#686	▼
2000s	7,182	#451	▼
1990s	32,886	#121	▼
1980s	44,372	#113	▲
1970s	5,003	#442	▲
1960s	2,147	#877	▲
1950s	122	#3403	▲
1940s	95	#3523	▲
1930s	30	#3948	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(88 years, 1936–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Whitney
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	238	#1050	-24 (-9.2%)
2023	262	#981	+17 (6.9%)
2022	245	#1047	-1 (-0.4%)
2021	246	#1033	-27 (-9.9%)
2020	273	#941	-30 (-9.9%)
2019	303	#888	+4 (1.3%)
2018	299	#902	-29 (-8.8%)
2017	328	#830	-47 (-12.5%)
2016	375	#761	-71 (-15.9%)
2015	446	#640	-17 (-3.7%)
2014	463	#622	-19 (-3.9%)
2013	482	#591	-41 (-7.8%)
2012	523	#562	-40 (-7.1%)
2011	563	#519	+22 (4.1%)
2010	541	#544	-54 (-9.1%)
2009	595	#508	+52 (9.6%)
2008	543	#570	+10 (1.9%)
2007	533	#564	-31 (-5.5%)
2006	564	#535	-88 (-13.5%)
2005	652	#471	-24 (-3.6%)

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

Whitney as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Whitney has also been given to 5,979 boys in the U.S. since 1884.

#6786

Current rank

5,979

Total births

1986

Peak year

Compare Whitney as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Whitney be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Whitney is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #1050. As a boy's name, it ranks #6786.

Whitney has two lives

Whitney, the baby name

#1050girls

97,424 babies

Currently viewing

Whitney, the pet name

#1937pet name

52 pets

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1936–2024) · Methodology