Whit Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Whit is an Old English name meaning 'white' or 'bright', evolving from 'hwita' in Old English to its current form. The name reflects traits of brightness and clarity. It has no direct biblical relevance and gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages. Variants include White and Whitney, and it is viewed positively in contemporary culture.
The name Whit is most popular in Kansas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest 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, Whit has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Whit' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2367th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3209th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3123rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4537th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 9449th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 7610th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3111th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Whit' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Whit"
Pronunciation
/wɪt/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Whit is derived from the Old English word 'hwita', which means 'white' or 'bright'. It was originally used as a descriptive term for someone with light-colored hair or a fair complexion.
Meaning
white, bright
Language Evolution
Hwita (Old English), Whita (Middle English), Whit (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Whit gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages, particularly among those who lived in regions with a notable presence of light-colored stones or landscapes.
Variants & Derivatives
White, Whitt, Whitney
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Whit is perceived as a unique and modern name, often associated with a sense of brightness and clarity.
Famous People
Whitney Houston, Whit Stillman
📊 Whit Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Whit Name Visualizations
✨ Whit Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 71 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 8 US states, with strongest presence in Kansas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Whit"
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 "Whit"
"Whit" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2367th of 7545 | 190 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3209th of 6773 | 102 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3123rd of 7552 | 134 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4537th of 10718 | 83 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 9449th of 16616 | 38 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 7610th of 24088 | 140 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3111th of 23106 | 454 |
Regional Popularity of "Whit" by Generation for Male 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) |
- | - |
65.06% 4758th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
49.57% 1975th/3984 |
- |
43.54% 2970th/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Whit" 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 "Whit"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Whit" 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.