boys' name · peaked 1916

Pinkney

Every Pinkney since 1880 — 531 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
0.040.080.110.1518801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1891Boys
Rank 2025
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Pinkney
Peak year
1916
17 babies
All-time total
531
since 1880

The story of Pinkney

Pinkney is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1880, 531 American babies have been named Pinkney. Its peak came in 1916, when 17 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.

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 Pinkney stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Pinkney year by year

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

Year Boys Boys rank
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1995
1990
1985
1980
1975
1970
1965
1960
1955 5 #4,260
1950
1945 6 #3,238
1940 6 #3,381
1935 6 #3,564
1930 5 #4,426
1925 16 #2,063
1920 13 #2,426
1915 11 #2,417
1910 10 #1,100
1905
1900 9 #955
1895 7 #960
1890
1885
1880 10 #629

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Pinkney in 2025?

Pinkney did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Pinkney?

531 babies have been named Pinkney in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Pinkney most popular?

Pinkney peaked in 1916, when 17 newborns received the name.

Is Pinkney a boy or girl name?

Pinkney is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Pinkney rising or falling?

Pinkney has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Pinkney

Compare Pinkney with similar names →