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The short answer
Penny is a feminine name used in English. Behind the Name describes it this way: "Diminutive of Penelope. It can also be given in reference to the copper coin (a British pound or an American dollar are worth 100 of them), derived from Old English penning." It ranked #740 for girls in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, diminutive of Penelope. It can also be given in reference to the copper coin (a British pound or an American dollar are worth 100 of them), derived from Old English penning. The entry lists its usage as English.
Editorial confidence: likely
Popularity
Penny ranked #740 for girls in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #740 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (English) and that sit near Penny in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Penny mean?
Behind the Name does not give Penny a one-word meaning. It describes the name as follows: diminutive of Penelope.
Is Penny a popular name?
Penny ranked #740 for girls in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Penny a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Penny appears in the girls' list; Behind the Name labels it feminine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Penny — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
