Penny

What does Penny mean?

Penny is a familiar, friendly form that traces back to the Greek name Penelope, which is commonly associated with the idea of a weaver. The original name evokes craft and patience, qualities that people often imagine when they hear the name today.

As a given name, Penny feels warm and approachable. It carries a vintage charm without feeling old fashioned, and it often suggests a mix of practical sensibility and gentle mischief. Because it is short and easy to say, Penny works well across ages and social contexts.

Historical Context

Penny began as a diminutive or pet form of Penelope, a name of Greek origin. Penelope appears in ancient Greek literature, most famously in Homeric epics, and over time it has come to be associated with skill in weaving. The short form Penny developed much later, gaining particular popularity in English speaking countries as pet forms and surnames made the transition into given names during the 19th and 20th centuries.

In the nineteenth century and early twentieth century, Penny and related spellings were used informally within families. The name resurfaced more broadly in the mid to late twentieth century as parents sought names that felt friendly and familiar but also had roots in longer, classical names. Today Penny exists both as an affectionate nickname for Penelope and as an independent given name, used in Britain, North America, and elsewhere.

Popularity of Penny over time

In 2025, Penny was given to 201 girls in the UK and 368 girls in the US. Penny has risen sharply over the last 20 years, and is now an uncommon girls' name in both the UK and the US.

What do parents think of Penny?