Boy · 69th of 10,718
Tony
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
254,158
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1961
Peak Popularity Year
8,363
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Tony 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
Tony is derived from the Latin name Antonius, which is associated with the meaning 'priceless'. It evolved through the name Anthony before becoming a popular diminutive. The name is often associated with traits of friendliness and charm, and while it does not have biblical roots, it has been widely adopted in modern culture, especially in the 20th century.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈtoʊni/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
Tony is derived from the name Anthony, which comes from the Roman family name 'Antonius'. The exact meaning of Antonius is unclear, but it has been associated with the Latin word 'ante', meaning 'before'.
Meaning
Priceless; of inestimable worth
Language Evolution
Antonius, Anthony, Tony
Historical Usage
Tony has gained popularity as a diminutive form of Anthony, particularly in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Anthony, Ant, Tonio
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Tony is perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with warmth and charisma.
Famous People
Tony Bennett - American singer, Tony Stark - fictional character from Marvel Comics, Tony Robbins - American author and motivational speaker
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 8,363 peak births in 1961
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Mexico
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 10 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 | 147th of 7545 | 16,983 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 160th of 6773 | 19,446 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 82nd of 7552 | 88,866 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 69th of 10718 | 69,408 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 142nd of 16616 | 34,353 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 324th of 24088 | 15,502 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 585th of 23106 | 5,734 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2152nd of 9107 | 287 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1786th of 9204 | 382 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1738th of 12526 | 700 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1615th of 19264 | 970 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 3645th of 27321 | 429 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 13503rd of 35406 | 95 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 26286th of 30306 | 10 |