Chip Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Chip is an English name that originated as a diminutive form of Charles or Christopher, with roots in Old English. The name means 'small piece' or 'fragment'. Its evolution traces from Old English through Middle English to its current form. Chip is typically associated with friendliness and playfulness, and it does not have a biblical background. The name gained popularity in the 20th century and is often used as a nickname.
The name Chip is most popular in Georgia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Baby Boomers generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Chip has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Chip' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4578th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 782nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 999th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3110th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 11654th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3684th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Chip' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Chip"
Pronunciation
/tʃɪp/
Origin
English
Etymology
The name 'Chip' is often considered a diminutive of 'Charles' or 'Christopher'. It can also refer to a small piece or fragment of something, derived from the Old English word 'cippian', meaning 'to chip off'.
Meaning
small piece, fragment
Language Evolution
Old English: cippian, Middle English: chippe, Modern English: Chip
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 20th century, often used in informal contexts or as a nickname.
Variants & Derivatives
Chippo, Chipper, Chips
Modern Popularity & Image
Chip is commonly perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with playfulness and youthfulness.
Famous People
Chip Gaines - American television personality and co-host of 'Fixer Upper', Chip Kelly - American football coach
Explore More Chip Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Chip"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Chip"
"Chip" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4578th of 6773 | 35 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 782nd of 7552 | 1,685 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 999th of 10718 | 1,041 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3110th of 16616 | 292 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 11654th of 24088 | 61 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3684th of 23106 | 355 |
Regional Popularity of "Chip" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
31.07% 692nd/2227 |
37.65% 915th/2430 |
28.74% 820th/2853 |
27.03% 750th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
32.58% 957th/2937 |
55.90% 1947th/3483 |
27.97% 984th/3518 |
32.91% 1331st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
61.30% 2259th/3685 |
- | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
79.99% 3187th/3984 |
- |
74.46% 5080th/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Chip" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Chip"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Chip" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.