Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Randy
BoyEnglish, Germanic· “shield wolf”
- Meaning
- shield wolf
- Origin
- English, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- RAN-dee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,089
- US babies 2025
- 198
- Best rank
- #28 (1956)
- Peak year
- 1956
Meaning and origin of Randy
Randy is an English and Germanic name that is usually said to mean “shield wolf”.
Randy began as a pet form of Randall and Randolph, both descended from the Germanic Randulf, made up of rand, "shield" or "shield rim", and wulf, "wolf". Randolph came into English after the Norman Conquest, and Randall developed as a medieval form of it. Randy became an independent given name in the United States during the twentieth century. Country singer Randy Travis and songwriter Randy Newman are well-known bearers. The name sounds casual and upbeat, with a friendly mid-century feel. Some parents choose Randall or Randolph for the birth certificate and use Randy day to day. In British and Australian slang the word randy has a cheeky meaning, which is worth knowing for families there.
Other spellings with the same sound: Randi.
Popularity over time
Randy first appears in US Social Security records in 1915. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 89 different years, starting in 1935. Its best national rank was #28 in 1956, the same year it reached its highest count of 16,547 babies. In 2025, 198 babies were named Randy, and it ranked #1,089 nationally. That is 60% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,748 in 1920, #80 in 1950, #87 in 1980, #278 in 2000, #347 in 2010, and #1,089 in 2025. Of the 329,468 US boys named Randy since records began, 37% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 93,878 babies. Since 2010, 7,057 more have been named Randy.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Douglas, Terry, Bruce, Keith, and Peter.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Randy ranked highest in Arkansas, Kentucky, and South Carolina.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | #432 | 8 |
| Kentucky | #515 | 9 |
| South Carolina | #656 | 7 |
| Oregon | #685 | 5 |
| Massachusetts | #768 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Randy over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Randy is usually pronounced RAN-dee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with R and ends in “-dy”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Randi.
Middle names for Randy
A few middle names that flow with Randy: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Randy
Similar names
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Lists that include Randy
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Randy mean?
Randy is an English and Germanic name that is usually said to mean “shield wolf”.
What is the origin of the name Randy?
Randy has English and Germanic roots. Randy began as a pet form of Randall and Randolph, both descended from the Germanic Randulf, made up of rand, "shield" or "shield rim", and wulf, "wolf".
Is Randy a popular name?
Not especially. Randy ranked #1,089 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Randy a boy or girl name?
Randy is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Randy over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Randy?
Randy is usually pronounced RAN-dee. 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