Find out how popular the first name Pinkie has been for the last 19 years (from 1974 to 1992) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Pinkie by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Pinkie is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1992, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Pinkie.

The history of the first name Pinkie

The name Pinkie is an English diminutive form of the name Penelope, derived from the Greek name Penelopē. The name Penelopē is believed to be composed of the elements pēnē, meaning "thread" or "web," and lopós, meaning "dust" or "shred." The etymology suggests that the name may have originally referred to a woman who was skilled in weaving or spinning.

The earliest recorded use of the name Pinkie dates back to the late 19th century in England. It was likely a nickname or pet name used affectionately for girls named Penelope or Penelope's diminutive forms, such as Penny or Nell.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Pinkie was Pinkie Gordon Gilchrist (1878-1946), an American artist and illustrator known for her children's book illustrations. She was born in Philadelphia and studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Another notable Pinkie was Pinkie Lee (1907-1993), an American comedian, and actor. Born Pinkus Lewski in St. Paul, Minnesota, he was a popular vaudeville performer and appeared in several films and television shows throughout his career.

Pinkie Barnes (1920-2003) was an American jazz singer and actress who performed with several renowned musicians, including Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway. She was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and began her career as a dancer before transitioning to singing.

Pinkie Parkins (1920-2013) was an English cricketer who played domestic cricket for Lancashire County Cricket Club. He was born in Oldham, Lancashire, and played for the county team between 1938 and 1957.

Pinkie Huddleston (1928-2002) was an American baseball player who played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants. He was born in Hollis, Oklahoma, and played in the MLB from 1949 to 1953.

While the name Pinkie is not as common as it once was, it remains a unique and endearing diminutive form of Penelope, with a rich history and connections to various notable individuals throughout the 20th century.

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

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

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