Nancy
Medieval diminutive of Ann and Agnes.
Every Nancy since 1880 — 1,007,393 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nancy
Nancy is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #967 in 2025 with 265 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 1,007,393 American babies have been named Nancy. Its peak came in 1947, when 32,502 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
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 Nancy stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nancy 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 | 265 | #967 | — | — |
| 2024 | 290 | #916 | — | — |
| 2023 | 281 | #942 | — | — |
| 2022 | 267 | #991 | — | — |
| 2021 | 279 | #946 | — | — |
| 2020 | 295 | #897 | — | — |
| 2019 | 298 | #895 | — | — |
| 2018 | 326 | #834 | — | — |
| 2017 | 314 | #874 | — | — |
| 2016 | 310 | #900 | — | — |
| 2015 | 345 | #814 | — | — |
| 2014 | 371 | #755 | — | — |
| 2013 | 412 | #688 | — | — |
| 2012 | 437 | #654 | — | — |
| 2011 | 541 | #537 | — | — |
| 2010 | 574 | #519 | — | — |
| 2009 | 667 | #464 | — | — |
| 2008 | 858 | #379 | — | — |
| 2007 | 903 | #362 | — | — |
| 2006 | 1,017 | #325 | — | — |
| 2005 | 1,017 | #318 | — | — |
| 2004 | 1,151 | #289 | 5 | #12,630 |
| 2003 | 1,179 | #268 | 6 | #10,475 |
| 2002 | 1,369 | #229 | — | — |
| 2001 | 1,420 | #223 | 8 | #8,076 |
| 2000 | 1,378 | #232 | 6 | #9,928 |
| 1995 | 2,001 | #160 | 12 | #5,019 |
| 1990 | 2,385 | #131 | 28 | #2,472 |
| 1985 | 2,609 | #108 | 21 | #2,481 |
| 1980 | 2,806 | #111 | 22 | #2,340 |
| 1975 | 3,510 | #82 | 19 | #2,336 |
| 1970 | 7,063 | #50 | 27 | #1,686 |
| 1965 | 12,255 | #32 | 42 | #1,181 |
| 1960 | 21,891 | #15 | 55 | #1,039 |
| 1955 | 30,023 | #9 | 51 | #1,060 |
| 1950 | 29,617 | #6 | 64 | #861 |
| 1945 | 21,456 | #7 | 61 | #793 |
| 1940 | 19,737 | #7 | 72 | #721 |
| 1935 | 14,544 | #9 | 45 | #950 |
| 1930 | 9,068 | #24 | 25 | #1,487 |
| 1925 | 4,325 | #60 | 13 | #2,391 |
| 1920 | 2,982 | #95 | 6 | #4,131 |
| 1915 | 1,987 | #102 | 7 | #3,286 |
| 1910 | 811 | #105 | — | — |
| 1905 | 535 | #118 | — | — |
| 1900 | 673 | #99 | — | — |
| 1895 | 566 | #93 | — | — |
| 1890 | 512 | #84 | — | — |
| 1885 | 527 | #67 | — | — |
| 1880 | 410 | #62 | — | — |
Famous people named Nancy
- Nancy Pelosi Politician · b. 1940
- Nancy Reagan Actor · 1921–2016
- Nancy Sinatra Singer · b. 1940
- Nancy Allen Actor · b. 1950
- Nancy Wake Social activist · 1912–2011
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nancy mean?
Medieval diminutive of Ann and Agnes.
How popular is the name Nancy in 2025?
Nancy ranked #967 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 265 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nancy?
1,007,393 babies have been named Nancy in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nancy most popular?
Nancy peaked in 1947, when 32,502 newborns received the name.
Is Nancy a boy or girl name?
Nancy is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nancy rising or falling?
Nancy is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Nancy?
Well-known people named Nancy include Nancy Pelosi (politician), Nancy Reagan (actor), Nancy Sinatra (singer).