Penny

Pronunciation: [ p-EHN-ee ]

Girl Name #746 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A vintage charmer with a mythological soul

English American Greek

Vintage Playful Gentle Classic Whimsical

Meaning & Origin

"with a web over her face"

Origin: Greek

Language: Greek

"short form of Penelope"

Origin: English

Language: English

The Story of Penny

Penny is a diminutive of Penelope, which comes from the Greek 'Penelopeia.' The name may derive from 'pene' (thread, bobbin) and 'ops' (face), interpreted as 'weaver,' connecting to the myth of Penelope, wife of Odysseus, who wove and unraveled a shroud each day to delay her suitors. Alternatively, it may mean 'with a web over her face,' referring to a duck — penelope was a type of duck in Greek. In modern usage, Penny stands confidently on its own.

Penny has experienced a delightful revival after decades of feeling dated. It received major boosts from the character Penny in The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019) and from the Penny Dreadful TV series. Parents drawn to nickname-names and vintage charm have embraced it as a fresh, cheerful option.

In American culture, Penny is associated with the coin, warm childhood nostalgia, and approachable charm. In Greek mythology, Penelope is one of literature's great heroines — the faithful, clever wife who outwitted 108 suitors for twenty years. Penny carries all of that wit and resourcefulness in a compact, friendly package.

Fun Facts

Penelope waited 20 years for Odysseus to return from Troy, famously weaving and unraveling a funeral shroud each day to avoid remarrying her 108 suitors
The character Penny in The Big Bang Theory (played by Kaley Cuoco) never had her surname revealed during the show's 12-season run

Penny in Other Languages

Greek Πηνελόπη

French Penny

German Penny

Italian Penny

Spanish Penny

Famous People Named Penny

Penny Marshall

Other

1943

American actress and director who made Laverne and Shirley, then became one of Hollywood's first major female directors ...

American actress and director who made Laverne and Shirley, then became one of Hollywood's first major female directors with Big and A League of Their Own

Penelope Fictional

Other

Queen of Ithaca in Homer's Odyssey, famous for her cleverness and fidelity while waiting twenty years for Odysseus

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #746
Total SSA Count: 376
Cultural Origins: English American Greek
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Nicknames

Pen Pey Penie

Pairs Well With

Penny Rose Penny Jane Penny Lou Penny Mae Penny Grace Penny Blair Penny Kate

Sibling Names

Nellie Bea Dot Hazel Millie Betty Archie

Also a Boy Name

Penny is also used as a boy name, ranked #13663.

View Penny as a boy name →

Similar Names

Jennie Janie Lennie Dennis Lonnie Tony Bennie Denis

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Penny

What does the name Penny mean?

"with a web over her face" (from Greek). "short form of Penelope" (from English). Penny is a diminutive of Penelope, which comes from the Greek 'Penelopeia.' The name may derive from 'pene' (thread, bobbin) and 'ops' (face), interpreted as 'weaver,' connecting to the myth of Penelope, wife of Odysseus, who wove and unraveled a shroud each day to delay her suitors. Alternatively, it may mean 'with a web over her face,' referring to a duck — penelope was a type of duck in Greek. In modern usage, Penny stands confidently on its own.

What is the origin of the name Penny?

Penny has Greek, English, and American origins. In Greek, it means "with a web over her face". In English, it means "short form of Penelope".

Is Penny a boy or girl name?

Penny is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #746. As a boy name, it is ranked #13663. Penny is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Penny?

Penny is pronounced p-EHN-ee.

How popular is the name Penny?

Penny is currently ranked #746 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Penny?

Common nicknames for Penny include Pen, Pey, and Penie.

What are good middle names for Penny?

Popular middle name pairings include Penny Rose, Penny Jane, Penny Lou, Penny Mae, Penny Grace, Penny Blair, and Penny Kate.

What are good sibling names for Penny?

Names that pair well with Penny as siblings include Nellie, Bea, Dot, Hazel, Millie, Betty, and Archie.

How many syllables does Penny have?

Penny has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Penny a common or rare name?

Penny is moderately common, ranked #746 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Penny

Penny is a girl name with English, American, and Greek origins . The name means "with a web over her face" in Greek .

Is Penny a boy or girl name? Penny is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #746 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #13,663. Penny is more commonly used as a girl name.

Penny is currently ranked #746 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Penny has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-EHN-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Penny include Pen, Pey, and Penie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.