girls' name · peaked 1970

Candy

A pet form of the female given name Candace or Candice.

Every Candy since 1896 — 28,625 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.190.380.560.7518801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#4,576
among girls
Babies in 2025
30
named Candy
Peak year
1970
1,044 babies
All-time total
28,625
since 1896

The story of Candy

Candy is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #4,576 in 2025 with 30 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1896, 28,625 American babies have been named Candy. Its peak came in 1970, when 1,044 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Candy stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Candy year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 30 #4,576
2024 40 #3,771
2023 40 #3,778
2022 32 #4,396
2021 34 #4,179
2020 36 #3,939
2019 45 #3,463
2018 49 #3,256
2017 45 #3,444
2016 49 #3,294
2015 52 #3,186
2014 57 #2,974
2013 64 #2,708
2012 81 #2,318
2011 80 #2,328
2010 102 #1,960
2009 153 #1,494
2008 108 #1,951
2007 119 #1,792
2006 120 #1,736
2005 104 #1,857
2004 106 #1,798
2003 99 #1,861
2002 101 #1,783
2001 112 #1,629
2000 111 #1,590
1995 96 #1,579
1990 199 #948 5 #8,292
1985 241 #715
1980 438 #481 7 #5,001
1975 646 #342 7 #4,376
1970 1,044 #281
1965 709 #341
1960 827 #327
1955 495 #396
1950 272 #489
1945 198 #515
1940 15 #2,118
1935 11 #2,601
1930 7 #3,706
1925 7 #4,087
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Candy

  1. Candy Darling Actor · 1944–1974
  2. Candy Dulfer Musician · b. 1969
  3. Candy Clark Actor · b. 1947

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Candy mean?

A pet form of the female given name Candace or Candice.

How popular is the name Candy in 2025?

Candy ranked #4,576 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 30 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Candy?

28,625 babies have been named Candy in the United States since 1896, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Candy most popular?

Candy peaked in 1970, when 1,044 newborns received the name.

Is Candy a boy or girl name?

Candy is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Candy rising or falling?

Candy is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Candy?

Well-known people named Candy include Candy Darling (actor), Candy Dulfer (musician), Candy Clark (actor).

Names like Candy

Compare Candy with similar names →