Unisex name · peaked 1971

Happy

Every Happy since 1912 — 580 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
00.010.010.0218801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#10,049
among boys
Babies in 2025
17
named Happy
Peak year
1971
22 babies
All-time total
580
since 1912

The story of Happy

Happy is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #10,049 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1912, 580 American babies have been named Happy — about 53% boys and 47% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1971, when 22 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 Happy stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Happy 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 10 #9,691 7 #10,049
2024 12 #8,634 6 #11,422
2023 11 #9,219 10 #7,912
2022 9 #10,678 7 #10,173
2021 8 #11,488
2020 5 #15,976 10 #7,714
2019 10 #10,006 7 #10,114
2018 8 #11,804 5 #12,855
2017 8 #12,028 8 #9,138
2016 6 #11,210
2015 5 #17,425
2014
2013 5 #17,525 5 #12,813
2012 5 #17,824
2011
2010
2009
2008 5 #18,524 5 #13,240
2007
2006 6 #15,812 6 #11,137
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1995
1990
1985
1980
1975 18 #3,678
1970 11 #4,858
1965
1960 9 #2,951
1955 5 #4,086
1950
1945
1940
1935 10 #2,446
1930
1925 5 #4,506
1920
1915 6 #3,582
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Happy

  1. Happy Rockefeller Companion · 1926–2015
  2. Happy Chandler Politician · 1898–1991

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

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Happy in 2025?

Happy ranked #10,049 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Happy?

580 babies have been named Happy in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Happy most popular?

Happy peaked in 1971, when 22 newborns received the name.

Is Happy a boy or girl name?

Happy is used for both: about 47% of babies named Happy have been girls and 53% boys.

Is the name Happy rising or falling?

Happy is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Happy?

Well-known people named Happy include Happy Rockefeller (companion), Happy Chandler (politician).

Names like Happy

Compare Happy with similar names →