Girl · 388th of 35,406
Sidney
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
108,736
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1918
Peak Popularity Year
1,939
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Sidney stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Sidney has origins in both Old French and Old English, meaning 'wide island'. It evolved from the place name Sidonie and became popular in the English-speaking world, especially in the late 19th century, due to notable figures like Sir Philip Sidney. The name has a classic charm and is currently viewed as a versatile name for any gender. There is no biblical relevance associated with it.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈsɪdni/
Origin
Old French, Old English
Etymology
The name Sidney is derived from the Old French 'Sidonie', which is a place name meaning 'Saint-Denis', referring to a town in France. It also has connections to the Old English 'sīd', meaning 'wide' or 'spacious'.
Meaning
Wide island
Language Evolution
Sidonie, Sidney
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the late 19th century, particularly in England, influenced by the prominent English poet and courtier Sir Philip Sidney.
Variants & Derivatives
Sid, Sidney
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Sidney is perceived as a classic yet modern name, often associated with both genders, though it leans more towards females in recent years.
Famous People
Sir Philip Sidney, Sidney Poitier, Sidney Crosby
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,939 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Louisiana
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 26 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 105th of 7545 | 26,493 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 165th of 6773 | 17,247 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 241st of 7552 | 17,555 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 377th of 10718 | 7,138 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 501st of 16616 | 5,698 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 714th of 24088 | 4,555 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1159th of 23106 | 2,035 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 930th of 9107 | 1,065 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 821st of 9204 | 1,396 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1127th of 12526 | 1,589 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2217th of 19264 | 597 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 721st of 27321 | 4,349 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 388th of 35406 | 12,936 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1199th of 30306 | 2,441 |