Honey
GirlEnglish, Old English· “honey; a term of endearment”
- Meaning
- honey; a term of endearment
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- HUH-nee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #846
- US babies 2025
- 322
- Best rank
- #846 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Honey
Honey is an English and Old English name that means “honey; a term of endearment”.
Honey is the English word for the sweet food made by bees, from Old English hunig, and it has long been used as a term of endearment. As a given name it has a playful, vintage charm and was used occasionally in the twentieth century, often as a nickname. In Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind, Honey Wilkes is a minor character, though the name is better known as an affectionate word than through any single bearer. Today it fits the trend for sweet, word-based names. Honey is short, cheerful and warm, and it can also serve as a charming middle name.
Famous parents who chose Honey: Brody Jenner and Tia Blanco (2023). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Honey first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 2 different years, starting in 2024. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #846, and its highest count, 322 babies. Use has grown 557% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #3,763 in 1920, #1,850 in 1950, #1,694 in 1980, #4,852 in 2000, #2,302 in 2010, and #846 in 2025. Of the 4,757 US girls named Honey since records began, 26% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 662 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Elani, Elia, Kahlani, Anaiah, and Lilia.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Honey ranked highest in Arkansas, Hawaii, and Oklahoma.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Honey is usually pronounced HUH-nee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with H and ends in “-ey”.
Middle names for Honey
A few middle names that flow with Honey: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Honey
Similar names
Lists that include Honey
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Honey mean?
Honey is an English and Old English name that means “honey; a term of endearment”.
What is the origin of the name Honey?
Honey has English and Old English roots. Honey is the English word for the sweet food made by bees, from Old English hunig, and it has long been used as a term of endearment.
Is Honey a popular name?
Yes. Honey ranked #846 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Honey a boy or girl name?
Honey is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Honey?
Honey is usually pronounced HUH-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