Andy is a name of English origin that has been used for both boys and girls in recent years. It is a diminutive of the name Andrew, which is derived from the Greek name Andreas, meaning "manly" or "warrior". The name Andy has become popular due to its simplicity and ease of pronunciation. It has also gained popularity through various cultural influences such as movies, music, and literature. For example, the character Andy Pandy in a popular British children's television show and the lead character Andy Dufresne in the movie Shawshank Redemption have contributed to the name's popularity.
The name Andy has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the past century and a half, with its popularity fluctuating over time. In the late 19th century, the name was given to around 50 babies each year, with the number of births varying between 34 and 76 annually from 1880 to 1910.
The early 20th century saw a significant increase in the popularity of the name Andy. From 1912 onwards, the number of annual births with this name rose steadily, reaching over 150 by 1914 and peaking at nearly 300 births per year between 1916 and 1918.
The trend continued into the 1920s and 1930s, with around 200 to 300 babies named Andy each year. However, starting in the mid-1940s, the popularity of the name began to decline. By the late 1960s, the number of annual births with this name had fallen to around 500.
The 1970s and 1980s saw a further decrease in the popularity of the name Andy, with fewer than 100 babies being named Andy each year between 1984 and 1990. However, since then, there has been a resurgence in its popularity. Between 1991 and 2022, the number of annual births with this name varied between 603 and 1447, with peaks occurring around the years 1997, 2000, and 2015.
In total, over the period from 1880 to 2022, approximately 92,988 babies were named Andy in the United States. This makes it one of the most popular names for boys during this timeframe, reflecting its enduring appeal among parents throughout the years.