Girl · 29th of 35,406
Sydney
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
186,796
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2000
Peak Popularity Year
10,369
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Sydney 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
Sydney is derived from the Old English name 'Siddh', meaning 'wide island'. The name evolved through various historical forms and gained popularity in the 18th century, largely due to the city of Sydney in Australia. It is viewed as a modern and cosmopolitan name, with no direct biblical relevance. Notable figures with this name include actors and fictional characters, contributing to its contemporary image.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈsɪdni/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Sydney is derived from the Old English name 'Siddh', which means 'wide island'. It is associated with the French place name 'Saint-Denis', which was used as a given name in honor of Saint Denis, the patron saint of France.
Meaning
wide island
Language Evolution
Siddh, Sidonius, Sydney
Historical Usage
The name Sydney gained popularity in the 18th century, particularly in England and Australia, partly due to the establishment of Sydney, Australia, as a penal colony in 1788.
Variants & Derivatives
Sidney, Syd
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Sydney is perceived as a modern and cosmopolitan name, often associated with the vibrant city in Australia. It evokes images of diversity and urban sophistication.
Famous People
Sydney Poitier, Sydney Carton (fictional character from 'A Tale of Two Cities'), Sydney Bristow (fictional character from 'Alias')
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:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 10,369 peak births in 2000
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
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 | 451st of 7545 | 2,765 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 682nd of 6773 | 1,509 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 922nd of 7552 | 1,231 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1396th of 10718 | 607 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1278th of 16616 | 1,105 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1593rd of 24088 | 1,379 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3015th of 23106 | 476 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1346th of 9107 | 594 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 731st of 9204 | 1,769 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 823rd of 12526 | 2,803 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1116th of 19264 | 1,729 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 138th of 27321 | 33,979 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 29th of 35406 | 114,440 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 158th of 30306 | 22,062 |