Courtney Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationKORT-nee / /ˈkɔːrtni/English; French
Meaning
English: short nose; French: from Courtenay
Historical & Cultural Background
Courtney originated as a surname in England, derived from the Old French 'Courtenay', which referred to a place in France. It became popular as a given name in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries. Initially used for girls, it has also been adopted for boys, though less commonly. The name has been associated with various cultural references over the years.
Trend Summary
Courtney has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., peaking in the 1980s and 1990s.
Similar Names
Variants
- Courtnee
- Courtnay
International Variants
- Courtenay (French)
- Cortney (English)
Famous people named Courtney
Courtney Love is an American singer, songwriter, and actress known for her role in the band Hole.
Courtney B. Vance is an American actor recognized for his performances in film, television, and theater.
Courtney Cox is an American actress best known for her role in the television series Friends.
Courtney Thorne-Smith is an American actress known for her roles in Melrose Place and According to Jim.
Fictional characters named Courtney
Courtney Whitmore is a character in the DC Comics universe, known as Stargirl.
Courtney is a character in the animated series Total Drama, known for her competitive nature.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Courtney was first seen in the United States in 1884. Courtney has ranked as high as #505 nationally, which occurred in 1980, and has been most popular in New York, Illinois, Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee. In the past 5 years the name Courtney has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Courtney (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| AL | 6 | |
| GA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1884 | 5 |
| 1885 | 5 |
| 1888 | 9 |
| 1889 | 11 |
| 1891 | 9 |
| 1894 | 8 |
| 1895 | 7 |
| 1896 | 8 |
| 1897 | 6 |
| 1898 | 7 |
| 1899 | 8 |
| 1900 | 10 |
| 1901 | 9 |
| 1902 | 5 |
| 1903 | 9 |
| 1904 | 7 |
| 1907 | 8 |
| 1908 | 11 |
| 1909 | 5 |
| 1910 | 11 |
| 1911 | 5 |
| 1912 | 23 |
| 1913 | 23 |
| 1914 | 26 |
| 1915 | 44 |
| 1916 | 36 |
| 1917 | 36 |
| 1918 | 44 |
| 1919 | 49 |
| 1920 | 48 |
| 1921 | 38 |
| 1922 | 48 |
| 1923 | 49 |
| 1924 | 49 |
| 1925 | 50 |
| 1926 | 46 |
| 1927 | 43 |
| 1928 | 39 |
| 1929 | 58 |
| 1930 | 38 |
| 1931 | 58 |
| 1932 | 37 |
| 1933 | 31 |
| 1934 | 37 |
| 1935 | 43 |
| 1936 | 33 |
| 1937 | 44 |
| 1938 | 49 |
| 1939 | 28 |
| 1940 | 35 |
| 1941 | 34 |
| 1942 | 56 |
| 1943 | 57 |
| 1944 | 68 |
| 1945 | 73 |
| 1946 | 63 |
| 1947 | 89 |
| 1948 | 76 |
| 1949 | 76 |
| 1950 | 64 |
| 1951 | 77 |
| 1952 | 78 |
| 1953 | 75 |
| 1954 | 88 |
| 1955 | 74 |
| 1956 | 85 |
| 1957 | 76 |
| 1958 | 78 |
| 1959 | 80 |
| 1960 | 116 |
| 1961 | 141 |
| 1962 | 100 |
| 1963 | 148 |
| 1964 | 146 |
| 1965 | 184 |
| 1966 | 199 |
| 1967 | 179 |
| 1968 | 185 |
| 1969 | 206 |
| 1970 | 209 |
| 1971 | 224 |
| 1972 | 207 |
| 1973 | 219 |
| 1974 | 371 |
| 1975 | 409 |
| 1976 | 539 |
| 1977 | 797 |
| 1978 | 778 |
| 1979 | 802 |
| 1980 | 860 |
| 1981 | 736 |
| 1982 | 763 |
| 1983 | 708 |
| 1984 | 773 |
| 1985 | 731 |
| 1986 | 778 |
| 1987 | 759 |
| 1988 | 844 |
| 1989 | 793 |
| 1990 | 675 |
| 1991 | 535 |
| 1992 | 419 |
| 1993 | 370 |
| 1994 | 326 |
| 1995 | 275 |
| 1996 | 253 |
| 1997 | 244 |
| 1998 | 234 |
| 1999 | 191 |
| 2000 | 185 |
| 2001 | 175 |
| 2002 | 143 |
| 2003 | 135 |
| 2004 | 143 |
| 2005 | 141 |
| 2006 | 169 |
| 2007 | 155 |
| 2008 | 147 |
| 2009 | 137 |
| 2010 | 126 |
| 2011 | 129 |
| 2012 | 137 |
| 2013 | 123 |
| 2014 | 132 |
| 2015 | 111 |
| 2016 | 110 |
| 2017 | 82 |
| 2018 | 77 |
| 2019 | 52 |
| 2020 | 62 |
| 2021 | 54 |
| 2022 | 57 |
| 2023 | 38 |
| 2024 | 38 |