Find out how popular the first name Canary has been for the last 6 years (from 2019 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Canary by gender

Based on the last 6 years of data, Canary is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Canary.

The history of the first name Canary

The given name Canary has its roots in Latin, stemming from the word "canarius" which means "of a bright yellowish-green color." This shade is reminiscent of the vibrant plumage of the canary bird, a small songbird native to the Canary Islands, Azores, and Madeira.

Historically, the name Canary gained popularity during the late Middle Ages and Renaissance periods when Europeans began exploring the Canary Islands, located off the northwestern coast of Africa. The islands were named after the Latin phrase "Insulae Canariae," meaning "Islands of Dogs," though the reasoning behind this moniker remains unclear.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Canary can be found in the 15th century, referring to a Portuguese explorer named Canary Gomes de Sintra, who was among the first Europeans to set foot on the Canary Islands in the early 1400s.

Throughout history, the name Canary has been borne by several notable individuals, including Canary Conn (1701-1778), an Irish-born American politician who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress; Canary Burton (1809-1848), an English author and traveler known for his writings on Spain and Portugal; and Canary Harding (1877-1939), an American actress and vaudeville performer during the early 20th century.

In literature, the name Canary appears in the works of Shakespeare, most notably in the play "The Tempest," where a character named Canary sings and dances. Additionally, Canary is the name of a character in the novel "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger.

Another notable bearer of the name Canary was Canary Burgess (1917-1993), an American painter and sculptor known for her abstract expressionist works. Her vibrant and colorful canvases were often inspired by the natural world, perhaps drawing inspiration from the vivid yellow hue associated with the canary bird.

While the name Canary may have originated from a geographical location and a particular species of bird, it has since transcended its humble beginnings and become a unique and distinctive given name in its own right, carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout history.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Canary was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Canary, please contact us.

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