Find out how popular the first name Happy has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Happy by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Happy is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 68% of people named Happy being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 12 female babies and 6 male babies born with the name Happy.

The history of the first name Happy

The given name Happy is a relatively modern English name derived from the adjective "happy," which itself stems from the Middle English word "happ??," meaning good fortune or chance. It's believed to have originated in the late 16th or early 17th century as a nickname or descriptive name given to cheerful or joyful individuals.

While the name Happy is not rooted in any specific cultural or religious tradition, it reflects the universal human desire for happiness and positivity. The earliest recorded use of Happy as a first name dates back to the late 19th century, but it didn't gain widespread popularity until the 20th century.

One of the earliest known individuals named Happy was Happy Ralph, an American entertainer and comedian born in 1892. Another early bearer of the name was Happy Humphreys, a British boxer born in 1882 who was active in the early 1900s.

Over the years, the name Happy has been adopted by several notable individuals across various fields. For instance, Happy Chandler (1898-1991) was a prominent American politician who served as the 49th Governor of Kentucky and later as a U.S. Senator. Happy Rockefeller (1926-2015) was an American socialite and the second wife of former U.S. Vice President Nelson Rockefeller.

In the realm of sports, Happy Hairston (1920-2001) was an American baseball player who played in the Negro Leagues and later for the New York Yankees. Happy Felsch (1891-1964) was an American baseball player who was involved in the infamous Black Sox Scandal of 1919.

While not a common name historically, Happy has been embraced by some as a unique and uplifting choice, reflecting the desire for happiness and positivity in life. Its modern usage continues to be a reflection of the universal human aspiration for joy and contentment.

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

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

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