Pennelope
Every Pennelope since 1942 — 399 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Pennelope
Pennelope is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #8,234 in 2025 with 13 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1942, 399 American babies have been named Pennelope. Its peak came in 2017, when 30 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
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 Pennelope stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Pennelope year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | #8,234 |
| 2024 | 12 | #8,829 |
| 2023 | 12 | #8,855 |
| 2022 | 13 | #8,410 |
| 2021 | 17 | #6,909 |
| 2020 | 18 | #6,570 |
| 2019 | 25 | #5,280 |
| 2018 | 14 | #8,057 |
| 2017 | 30 | #4,671 |
| 2016 | 15 | #7,894 |
| 2015 | 14 | #8,334 |
| 2014 | 21 | #6,154 |
| 2013 | 20 | #6,419 |
| 2012 | 9 | #12,009 |
| 2011 | 8 | #13,089 |
| 2010 | 6 | #16,466 |
| 2009 | 7 | #14,845 |
| 2008 | 10 | #11,403 |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | 7 | #14,750 |
| 2005 | 10 | #10,737 |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | 7 | #13,277 |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 6 | #5,683 |
| 1950 | 6 | #5,146 |
| 1945 | 5 | #5,083 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Pennelope in 2025?
Pennelope ranked #8,234 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 13 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Pennelope?
399 babies have been named Pennelope in the United States since 1942, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Pennelope most popular?
Pennelope peaked in 2017, when 30 newborns received the name.
Is Pennelope a boy or girl name?
Pennelope is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Pennelope rising or falling?
Pennelope is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.