Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Courtney
GirlFrench, English· “from a French place name”
- Meaning
- from a French place name
- Origin
- French, English
- Pronunciation
- KAWRT-nee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,335
- US babies 2025
- 78
- Best rank
- #17 (1990)
- Peak year
- 1990
Meaning and origin of Courtney
Courtney is a French and English name that is usually said to mean “from a French place name”.
Courtney comes from the Norman French surname de Courtenay, taken from the town of Courtenay in France. The place name is thought to derive from a Gallo-Roman estate name, and the popular folk meaning short nose, from French court nez, is not the true origin. The Courtenay family were powerful in medieval England and France. As a first name Courtney was originally masculine but became very popular for girls in the late twentieth century. Today it feels friendly and nostalgic.
Popularity over time
Courtney first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 60 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #17 in 1990, the same year it reached its highest count of 15,380 babies. In 2025, 78 babies were named Courtney, and it ranked #2,335 nationally. That is 79% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,829 in 1920, #1,502 in 1950, #48 in 1980, #59 in 2000, #354 in 2010, and #2,335 in 2025. Of the 258,399 US girls named Courtney since records began, 44% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 84,309 babies. Since 2010, 5,344 more have been named Courtney.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kayla, Katherine, Megan, Shelby, and Elizabeth.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Courtney ranked highest in Virginia, Ohio, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | #1226 | 5 |
| Ohio | #1507 | 5 |
| Texas | #2260 | 9 |
| California | #2852 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 85% of US babies named Courtney over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Courtney is usually pronounced KAWRT-nee, with two syllables. It has eight letters, starts with C and ends in “-ey”.
Middle names for Courtney
A few middle names that flow with Courtney: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Courtney
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Lists that include Courtney
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Courtney mean?
Courtney is a French and English name that is usually said to mean “from a French place name”.
What is the origin of the name Courtney?
Courtney has French and English roots. Courtney comes from the Norman French surname de Courtenay, taken from the town of Courtenay in France.
Is Courtney a popular name?
Not especially. Courtney ranked #2,335 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Courtney a boy or girl name?
Courtney is mainly a girl's name. About 85% of US babies named Courtney over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Courtney?
Courtney is usually pronounced KAWRT-nee. 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