Find out how popular the first name Gypsy has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gypsy by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Gypsy is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 24 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Gypsy.

The history of the first name Gypsy

The name Gypsy is derived from the word "Gypsy," which refers to the Romani people, an ethnic group that originated in the Indian subcontinent. The Romani people were nomadic and migrated to Europe and other parts of the world in the Middle Ages.

The term "Gypsy" is believed to have originated from the mistaken belief that the Romani people came from Egypt. The name Gypsy is not a traditional Romani name but rather a term assigned to them by others.

The use of the name Gypsy as a given name became popular in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries. It was often associated with a romanticized view of the Romani lifestyle and culture.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Gypsy was in the 1806 novel "The Gypsy" by George Walker. The novel featured a character named Gypsy who was a Romani woman.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the name Gypsy. One of the most famous was Gypsy Rose Lee (1911-1970), an American burlesque entertainer and author. Her memoir, "Gypsy: A Memoir," was later adapted into the Broadway musical "Gypsy."

Another notable figure was Gypsy Petulengro (1903-1990), an English Romani woman who was a celebrated writer and storyteller. She wrote several books about Romani culture and traditions, including "Gypsy, the Romany" (1935).

In the world of music, Gypsy Boots (1914-2004) was an American singer and actress who performed in Broadway musicals and Hollywood films in the 1930s and 1940s.

Gypsy Davy (1953-2014) was a Scottish traveller and writer known for her memoirs, including "The Faraway Traveller" (1989), which documented her experiences growing up in a Scottish traveller community.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard (born 1992) gained notoriety for her involvement in the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, in 2015. The case gained widespread media attention and was the subject of several documentaries and a television series.

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

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

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