Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Blythe
GirlEnglish, Old English· “cheerful, carefree”
- Meaning
- cheerful, carefree
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- BLYTH
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #2,052
- US babies 2025
- 92
- Best rank
- #1,076 (1974)
- Peak year
- 2013
Meaning and origin of Blythe
Blythe is an English and Old English name that means “cheerful, carefree”.
Blythe comes straight from the Old English word blithe, meaning cheerful, happy and carefree, a sense that survives in the modern English word blithe. It began as a surname and nickname for a sunny person before becoming a given name. It has a crisp, one-syllable elegance that feels both literary and understated, and it fits comfortably alongside names like Blair, Paige and Sloane. For parents who like word names with a gentle, optimistic meaning, it offers something rarer than Joy or Hope. The y spelling gives it a distinctive, slightly old-fashioned look.
Popularity over time
Blythe first appears in US Social Security records in 1897. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,076 in 1974, and the most babies received it in 2013, when 174 were named Blythe. In 2025, 92 babies were named Blythe, and it ranked #2,052 nationally. That is 40% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,058 in 1950, #2,131 in 1980, #2,515 in 2000, #2,239 in 2010, and #2,052 in 2025. Of the 5,168 US girls named Blythe since records began, 27% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 720 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Makinley, Gwenyth, Emmerson, Farah, and Arantza.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Blythe ranked highest in Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | #1061 | 6 |
| North Carolina | #1075 | 8 |
| Georgia | #1567 | 5 |
| Texas | #2064 | 10 |
| California | #3186 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 95% of US babies named Blythe over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Blythe is usually pronounced BLYTH, with one syllable. It has six letters, starts with B and ends in “-he”.
Middle names for Blythe
A few middle names that flow with Blythe: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Blythe
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Lists that include Blythe
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Blythe mean?
Blythe is an English and Old English name that means “cheerful, carefree”.
What is the origin of the name Blythe?
Blythe has English and Old English roots. Blythe comes straight from the Old English word blithe, meaning cheerful, happy and carefree, a sense that survives in the modern English word blithe.
Is Blythe a popular name?
Not especially. Blythe ranked #2,052 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Blythe a boy or girl name?
Blythe is mainly a girl's name. About 95% of US babies named Blythe over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Blythe?
Blythe is usually pronounced BLYTH. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings