Chesney
From Norman place names meaning “oak grove” (cognate to French chênaie), from Picard quesne, from Vulgar Latin *cassanus, probably from Gaulish kassanos (“oak”).
Every Chesney since 1970 — 2,821 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Chesney
Chesney is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #2,785 in 2025 with 61 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1970, 2,821 American babies have been named Chesney — about 94% girls and 6% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2005, when 141 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Chesney stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Chesney year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 61 | #2,785 | — | — |
| 2024 | 55 | #2,981 | 11 | #7,346 |
| 2023 | 66 | #2,651 | — | — |
| 2022 | 79 | #2,351 | — | — |
| 2021 | 83 | #2,234 | — | — |
| 2020 | 62 | #2,691 | — | — |
| 2019 | 64 | #2,687 | 7 | #9,934 |
| 2018 | 58 | #2,880 | 9 | #8,282 |
| 2017 | 81 | #2,288 | 9 | #8,283 |
| 2016 | 88 | #2,193 | — | — |
| 2015 | 68 | #2,627 | 5 | #12,407 |
| 2014 | 74 | #2,447 | 10 | #7,649 |
| 2013 | 88 | #2,140 | 6 | #10,984 |
| 2012 | 92 | #2,083 | — | — |
| 2011 | 66 | #2,669 | 6 | #11,070 |
| 2010 | 76 | #2,457 | 10 | #7,685 |
| 2009 | 92 | #2,167 | 6 | #11,241 |
| 2008 | 89 | #2,222 | 7 | #10,045 |
| 2007 | 91 | #2,183 | 9 | #8,297 |
| 2006 | 110 | #1,851 | 5 | #12,363 |
| 2005 | 131 | #1,555 | 10 | #7,204 |
| 2004 | 114 | #1,702 | 15 | #5,296 |
| 2003 | 80 | #2,171 | 9 | #7,333 |
| 2002 | 85 | #2,032 | 5 | #10,948 |
| 2001 | 77 | #2,132 | 7 | #8,461 |
| 2000 | 51 | #2,824 | — | — |
| 1995 | 31 | #3,509 | — | — |
| 1990 | 22 | #4,400 | 5 | #8,324 |
| 1985 | 11 | #6,095 | — | — |
| 1980 | 13 | #5,285 | — | — |
| 1975 | 7 | #7,285 | — | — |
| 1970 | 7 | #6,462 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Chesney
- Chesney Hawkes Singer · b. 1971
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Chesney mean?
From Norman place names meaning “oak grove” (cognate to French chênaie), from Picard quesne, from Vulgar Latin *cassanus, probably from Gaulish kassanos (“oak”).
How popular is the name Chesney in 2025?
Chesney ranked #2,785 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 61 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Chesney?
2,821 babies have been named Chesney in the United States since 1970, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Chesney most popular?
Chesney peaked in 2005, when 141 newborns received the name.
Is Chesney a boy or girl name?
Chesney is used for both: about 94% of babies named Chesney have been girls and 6% boys.
Is the name Chesney rising or falling?
Chesney has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Chesney?
Well-known people named Chesney include Chesney Hawkes (singer).