Fanny
A diminutive of the female given name Frances, itself also becoming a given name.
Every Fanny since 1880 — 9,654 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Fanny
Fanny is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #6,397 in 2025 with 18 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 9,654 American babies have been named Fanny. Its peak came in 1916, when 241 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
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 Fanny stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Fanny year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18 | #6,397 |
| 2024 | 25 | #5,201 |
| 2023 | 19 | #6,253 |
| 2022 | 27 | #4,949 |
| 2021 | 23 | #5,459 |
| 2020 | 10 | #9,787 |
| 2019 | 19 | #6,254 |
| 2018 | 16 | #7,207 |
| 2017 | 19 | #6,362 |
| 2016 | 29 | #4,769 |
| 2015 | 51 | #3,228 |
| 2014 | 31 | #4,576 |
| 2013 | 17 | #7,156 |
| 2012 | 27 | #5,149 |
| 2011 | 30 | #4,721 |
| 2010 | 25 | #5,480 |
| 2009 | 44 | #3,634 |
| 2008 | 50 | #3,343 |
| 2007 | 39 | #4,007 |
| 2006 | 34 | #4,292 |
| 2005 | 28 | #4,748 |
| 2004 | 41 | #3,581 |
| 2003 | 41 | #3,490 |
| 2002 | 37 | #3,616 |
| 2001 | 52 | #2,822 |
| 2000 | 32 | #3,912 |
| 1995 | 51 | #2,498 |
| 1990 | 68 | #1,998 |
| 1985 | 41 | #2,412 |
| 1980 | 40 | #2,401 |
| 1975 | 41 | #2,106 |
| 1970 | 28 | #2,596 |
| 1965 | 27 | #2,311 |
| 1960 | 28 | #2,209 |
| 1955 | 34 | #1,818 |
| 1950 | 38 | #1,506 |
| 1945 | 45 | #1,177 |
| 1940 | 36 | #1,225 |
| 1935 | 88 | #719 |
| 1930 | 124 | #624 |
| 1925 | 188 | #514 |
| 1920 | 222 | #454 |
| 1915 | 211 | #411 |
| 1910 | 102 | #391 |
| 1905 | 71 | #401 |
| 1900 | 86 | #363 |
| 1895 | 94 | #296 |
| 1890 | 84 | #272 |
| 1885 | 85 | #212 |
| 1880 | 67 | #183 |
Famous people named Fanny
- Fanny Mendelssohn Composer · 1805–1847
- Fanny Kaplan Politician · 1890–1918
- Fanny Ardant Actor · b. 1949
- Fanny Blankers-Koen Athlete · 1918–2004
- Fanny Elssler Politician · 1810–1884
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Fanny mean?
A diminutive of the female given name Frances, itself also becoming a given name.
How popular is the name Fanny in 2025?
Fanny ranked #6,397 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 18 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Fanny?
9,654 babies have been named Fanny in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Fanny most popular?
Fanny peaked in 1916, when 241 newborns received the name.
Is Fanny a boy or girl name?
Fanny is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Fanny rising or falling?
Fanny is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Fanny?
Well-known people named Fanny include Fanny Mendelssohn (composer), Fanny Kaplan (politician), Fanny Ardant (actor).