Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Penny
GirlEnglish, Greek· “short form of Penelope; also the coin”
- Meaning
- short form of Penelope; also the coin
- Origin
- English, Greek
- Pronunciation
- PEH-nee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #740
- US babies 2025
- 368
- Best rank
- #86 (1963)
- Peak year
- 1963
Meaning and origin of Penny
Penny is an English and Greek name that is usually said to mean “short form of Penelope; also the coin”.
Penny is best known as a short form of Penelope, the name of the faithful wife of Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey. The meaning of Penelope is uncertain; it has been linked to Greek words for a thread or weft and for a kind of duck, but neither link is proven. Penny is also the English word for a small coin, which gives it a lucky, homespun charm. As an independent name it was popular in the mid-twentieth century and is now returning. It is cheerful and bright, with a vintage feel.
Other spellings with the same sound: Pennie, Penney.
Popularity over time
Penny first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 69 different years, starting in 1923. Its best national rank was #86 in 1963, the same year it reached its highest count of 5,129 babies. In 2025, 368 babies were named Penny, and it ranked #740 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,655 in 1920, #161 in 1950, #407 in 1980, #2,769 in 2000, #1,478 in 2010, and #740 in 2025. Of the 100,619 US girls named Penny since records began, 38% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 25,123 babies. Since 2010, 5,397 more have been named Penny.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Regina, Sherri, Colleen, Carla, and Renee.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Penny ranked highest in Utah, Idaho, and Oregon.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Penny is usually pronounced PEH-nee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with P and ends in “-ny”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Pennie and Penney.
Middle names for Penny
A few middle names that flow with Penny: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Penny
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Lists that include Penny
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Penny mean?
Penny is an English and Greek name that is usually said to mean “short form of Penelope; also the coin”.
What is the origin of the name Penny?
Penny has English and Greek roots. Penny is best known as a short form of Penelope, the name of the faithful wife of Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey.
Is Penny a popular name?
Yes. Penny ranked #740 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Penny a boy or girl name?
Penny is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Penny?
Penny is usually pronounced PEH-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