Meaning, origin, history
The name Penny is of English origin and it means "one penny." It comes from the word "penny," which was used to refer to a small silver coin worth one penny in British currency during the Middle Ages. The name Penny has been popular for girls in English-speaking countries since the late 19th century, but it wasn't until the mid-20th century that it became particularly fashionable. Today, Penny is still a commonly used name for girls and it's often associated with its short form, "Pen.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Penny since 1880
Total births
99,867
Total since 1880
Peak year
1963
5,127 births
in 2023
431
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
+34%
↗
vs previous 5 years