Penney Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PEN-ee //ˈpɛni//
Origin: English; diminutive of Penelope
Meaning: English: Weaver; diminutive of Penelope
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Penney is derived from the Old French name "Penny," which itself is a diminutive form of the name "Penelope." The roots of Penelope can be traced back to the ancient Greek name "Πηνελόπη" (Penelopē), which is believed to have originated from the Greek word "pene" meaning "weft" or "to weave." This etymology reflects the character of Penelope in Homer's "Odyssey," who is known for her loyalty and cleverness, particularly in weaving and unweaving a tapestry as a ruse to delay her suitors while waiting for her husband, Odysseus. The name made its way into English through the Latinized form of Greek during the Middle Ages, particularly as the influence of classical literature grew in Europe.
Historically, the name Penelope gained prominence during the Renaissance, a period marked by a revival of interest in classical texts and figures. The character of Penelope from the "Odyssey" became emblematic of fidelity and patience, qualities that resonated with many cultures.
The name was further popularized in England through various literary works and translations, including the King James Bible in the early 17th century, which helped to solidify its presence in English-speaking contexts. The diminutive form "Penny" also emerged during this time, often used affectionately.
Culturally, the name Penney and its variants have been associated with themes of loyalty, intelligence, and resilience, reflecting the attributes of its mythological namesake. The enduring nature of the name can be attributed to its rich literary heritage and the positive qualities it embodies.
As such, Penney has maintained a presence in various cultural narratives, symbolizing steadfastness and cleverness across generations.
Famous people named Penney
In this section, you will find notable people named Penney. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Penney who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Penney who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Penney Peirce is an author and intuitive guide best known for The Intuitive Way, Frequency, and Leap of Perception.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Penney, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Penney. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Penney was first seen in the United States in 1925.
Penney has ranked as high as #1692 nationally, which occurred in 1962, and has been most popular in New York, California, Michigan, Texas, and Tennessee.
In the past 5 years the name Penney has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Penney is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Penney was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Penney.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | 5 |
| 2017 | 9 | 9 |
| 2014 | 8 | 8 |
| 2012 | 5 | 5 |
| 1988 | 5 | 5 |
| 1985 | 8 | 8 |
| 1984 | 7 | 7 |
| 1983 | 12 | 12 |
| 1982 | 15 | 15 |
| 1981 | 6 | 6 |
| 1980 | 14 | 14 |
| 1979 | 17 | 17 |
| 1978 | 21 | 21 |
| 1977 | 28 | 28 |
| 1976 | 21 | 21 |
| 1975 | 27 | 27 |
| 1974 | 31 | 31 |
| 1973 | 34 | 34 |
| 1972 | 50 | 50 |
| 1971 | 44 | 44 |
| 1970 | 39 | 39 |
| 1969 | 43 | 43 |
| 1968 | 55 | 55 |
| 1967 | 59 | 59 |
| 1966 | 66 | 66 |
| 1965 | 67 | 67 |
| 1964 | 96 | 96 |
| 1963 | 78 | 78 |
| 1962 | 113 | 113 |
| 1961 | 78 | 78 |
| 1960 | 91 | 91 |
| 1959 | 73 | 73 |
| 1958 | 78 | 78 |
| 1957 | 66 | 66 |
| 1956 | 61 | 61 |
| 1955 | 49 | 49 |
| 1954 | 56 | 56 |
| 1953 | 43 | 43 |
| 1952 | 40 | 40 |
| 1951 | 38 | 38 |
| 1950 | 36 | 36 |
| 1949 | 38 | 38 |
| 1948 | 31 | 31 |
| 1947 | 41 | 41 |
| 1946 | 20 | 20 |
| 1945 | 17 | 17 |
| 1944 | 21 | 21 |
| 1943 | 28 | 28 |
| 1942 | 25 | 25 |
| 1941 | 19 | 19 |
| 1940 | 9 | 9 |
| 1939 | 5 | 5 |
| 1925 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Penney (1973)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| OH | 5 | |
| TX | 5 |