Find out how popular the first name Day has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Day by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Day is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 69% of people named Day being female.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 7 female babies and 6 male babies born with the name Day.

The history of the first name Day

The name Day is an English given name derived from the word "day," which means the period of time between sunrise and sunset. It has been in use as a first name since the late 19th century.

Day is believed to have originated as a nickname or descriptive name given to someone who was born during the day or had a bright and cheerful personality. Some sources also suggest that it may have been used as a name for a child born on a particular day of the week or on a significant day in the calendar.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Day being used as a first name dates back to the late 1800s. In 1887, a man named Day Wilbur Acres was born in Ohio, United States. Acres went on to become a prominent businessman and philanthropist in the early 20th century.

Another notable figure with the first name Day was Day Woodworth, an American painter and illustrator born in 1935. Woodworth was known for her vibrant and colorful paintings, which often depicted scenes from nature and everyday life.

Day Hackett, born in 1924, was an American actor and director who appeared in several Broadway productions and television shows throughout his career. He was particularly known for his work in the 1970s and 1980s.

In the literary world, Day Keene was the pen name of American author Gunard Hjalmar Jonasson, who was born in 1904 and wrote numerous crime fiction and mystery novels during the mid-20th century.

A more recent example is Day Williams, an American football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) as a running back for the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions in the 1970s and 1980s.

While the name Day has been used throughout history, it remains a relatively uncommon first name, especially in more recent times. However, its unique and cheerful connotation has contributed to its enduring appeal as a given name over the years.

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 Day was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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