Nancy (given name)

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Nancy
Nancy Drew is a fictional bearer of the name.
Pronunciation/ˈnænsi/
GenderFemale
Origin
Word/nameEngland
Region of originEurope
Other names
Related namesAnne
Popularitysee popular names

Nancy is an English language given name for women. The name Nancy was originally a diminutive form of Annis, a medieval English vernacular form of Agnes. In some English dialects, "mine" was used instead of "my" and "Mine Ancy" eventually became Nancy. The name was also later used as an English diminutive of Anne or Ann. It has been used as an independent name since the 18th century.[1] [2] In some instances it replaced variant Nanny, which was associated with the stereotype of a common, promiscuous woman from the 1600s onward.[3] Spelling variants in use include Nancea, Nancee, Nancey, Nanci, Nancie, Nancsi, Nancye, Nanncey, Nanncy, Nansee, and Nansi.[4] Similar names include Nan, Nance, Nanette, and Nannie.[5]

Usage[edit]

Nancy has been among the 1,000 most popular names for girls in the United States since 1880. It was among the top 100 most popular names for American girls between 1919 and 1978 and was at the height of its popularity between 1934 and 1955, when it was among the top 10 most popular names for American girls. It has since declined in use and was the 994th most popular name for newborn American girls in 2022. Its greatest popularity in Canada and New Zealand was also in the 20th century. The name has increased in use in England and Wales in recent years, where it has been among the 100 most popular names for newborn girls since 2014.[6]

Nancy may refer to:

People[edit]

Fictional characters[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006). Oxford Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press. p. 201. ISBN 0-19-861060-2.
  2. ^ Evans, Cleveland Kent (13 August 2023). "Cleveland Evans: It's No Mystery How Nancy Rose In Popularity". omaha.com. Omaha World Herald. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Full text of "Curiosities of Puritan nomenclature"". archive.org. 1880. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  4. ^ Lansky, Bruce (2019). 100,000+ Baby Names: The most helpful, complete, & up-to-date name book. Da Capo Lifelong Books. p. 235. ISBN 978-0306845246.
  5. ^ "Nancy". nameberry.com.
  6. ^ Campbell, Mike. "Nancy". www.behindthename.com. Behind the Name. Retrieved 21 December 2023.