Pinkney Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Pinkney is an Old English name originating from a place name in England. It signifies 'small bowl island' and has evolved through various historical forms over the centuries. The name does not have biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, and is associated with a vintage charm. Notable people with the name include Pinkney Benton Stewart Pinchback and Pinkney T. Decker.
The name Pinkney is most popular in South Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation 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, Pinkney has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Pinkney' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2130th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2862nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4452nd out of 7552 names. Discover how the name 'Pinkney' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Pinkney"
Pronunciation
/ˈpɪŋkni/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Pinkney is derived from a place name in England, which likely comes from the Old English elements 'pinca,' meaning 'a small bowl or dish,' and 'eg,' meaning 'island' or 'riverbank.'
Meaning
small bowl island
Language Evolution
Old English: Pincaneg, Middle English: Pinkeney, Modern English: Pinkney
Historical Usage
The name Pinkney gained popularity in the 19th century, especially in the United States, where it was used as a surname and occasionally as a given name.
Variants & Derivatives
Pinkney, Pinky
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Pinkney is considered a unique name that carries a vintage charm. It is not widely used as a first name but is recognized as a surname.
Famous People
Pinkney Benton Stewart Pinchback, the first African American governor in the United States, Pinkney T. Decker, an American politician
📊 Pinkney Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Pinkney Name Visualizations
✨ Pinkney Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 17 peak births in 1916
Geographic Spread
Popular across 2 US states, with strongest presence in South Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 3 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Pinkney"
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 "Pinkney"
"Pinkney" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2130th of 7545 | 230 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2862nd of 6773 | 129 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4452nd of 7552 | 50 |
Regional Popularity of "Pinkney" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
75.44% 1785th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
74.67% 1757th/2353 |
- |
| 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) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Pinkney" 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 "Pinkney"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Pinkney" 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.