"with a web over her face"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Penny
Pronunciation: [ p-EHN-ee ]
Does Penny flow with your last name?
A vintage charmer with a mythological soul
English
American
Greek
Vintage
Playful
Gentle
Classic
Whimsical
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Penny
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Meaning & Origin
"short form of Penelope"
Origin: English
Language: English
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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.
Historical Record
Penny first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 85,303 babies have been named Penny in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Penny is past its peak , currently ranked #746 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#746
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1963
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Penny
P
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
P
Penelope Fictional
Other
Queen of Ithaca in Homer's Odyssey, famous for her cleverness and fidelity while waiting twenty years for Odysseus
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See all →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
Peie
Penkins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Penny
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Penny is also used as a boy name, ranked #13663.
View Penny as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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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, Peie, and Penkins.
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, Peie, and Penkins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis