Penny sits comfortably in the UK charts at #193 in 2024 — recognisable but not overwhelming. Your child may occasionally share their name.
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UK Rank 2024
#193
US Rank #747
About the Name Penny
Penny is gradually declining in popularity, having dropped 27 places over five years. Its high point was #166 in 2020, and it now sits at #193. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
Penny is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it sits at #747 — notably more popular in the UK than across the Atlantic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Penny
Unlikely. With around 251 UK babies named Penny per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Penny in her class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Penny has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 27 places in the last five years. Its peak was #166 in 2020. Choosing it now means she is likely to be among the last of her generation with this name.
Penny is more popular in the UK (#193) than in the US (#747). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Penny include: Penny Penny — Eric Kulani Giyani Nkovani or Gezani Kobane, better known by his stage names Penny Penny and Papa Penny is a South African musician and politician, known...; Penny Mountbatten — Penelope Anne Vere, Lady Ivar Mountbatten, known as Penny Mountbatten, is a British philanthropist and businesswoman.; Penny Junor — Penelope Jane Junor is an English journalist and author..
Penny ranks #747 in the US top 1,000 (2024). It's recognised in America but considerably more popular in the UK.
251
UK babies named Penny (2024)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.1
In a school of 600
↓ 27 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Penny
Likely around 1 other Penny in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Penny
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Eric Kulani Giyani Nkovani or Gezani Kobane, better known by his stage names Penny Penny and Papa Penny is a South African musician and politician, known affectionately as the "Shangaan Disco King" for the musical style he helped popularise. He was elected as a member of the National Assembly, representing the UMkhonto we Sizwe, in the 2024 South African general election.
Penelope Anne Vere, Lady Ivar Mountbatten, known as Penny Mountbatten, is a British philanthropist and businesswoman. She served as the lady of the manor of Moyns Park and then Bridwell Park until her divorce from Lord Ivar Mountbatten in 2011.
Thomas Penny was an English physician and early entomologist. His solo works have not survived and he is primarily known through quotations from other sixteenth-century biologists.
Penny Sue Pritzker is an American heiress, businesswoman, and lawyer who served from 2013 to 2017 as the 38th United States secretary of commerce. Pritzker is a member of the prominent Pritzker family and was involved with the family business from a young age.
James Penny was an English merchant and slave trader who was a prominent defender of the Liverpool slave trade. The famous Penny Lane street in Liverpool has been associated with him although it is now widely regarded as of an unconnected origin.
The tribute penny was the coin that was shown to Jesus when he made his famous "Render unto Caesar" speech. The phrase comes from the King James Version of the gospel account: Jesus is asked, "Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" (Mark 12:14) and he replies, "bring me a penny, that I may see it" (Mark 12:15).