Find out how popular the first name Spanky has been for the last 1 years (from 1979 to 1979) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Spanky by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Spanky is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1979, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Spanky.

The history of the first name Spanky

The name Spanky is believed to have originated from the English language, most likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is thought to be a diminutive or nickname form of the name "Spangler," which is an occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "spangen," meaning a clasp or fastener.

One of the earliest known uses of the name Spanky can be found in the popular American comedy film series "The Little Rascals" (also known as "Our Gang"), which ran from the 1920s to the 1940s. In these films, the character named Spanky was portrayed by actor George Robert Phillipe Neville, who was born in 1925 and appeared in over 80 of the Our Gang shorts.

Another notable figure associated with the name Spanky is Spanky McFarland, an American actor and singer who was born in 1928. He is best known for his role as Spanky in the Our Gang comedy film series, where he appeared in over 90 shorts.

In the realm of sports, there was Spanky Felker, an American professional baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1938 to 1943. He was born in 1914 and primarily played as an outfielder for teams like the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Sox.

In the entertainment industry, Spanky Taylor was an American rock and roll singer and musician who was active in the 1950s and 1960s. He was born in 1936 and is best known for his hit song "Teddy Bear."

Another notable figure with the name Spanky is Spanky Ronson, an American record producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, born in 1976. He has worked with numerous acclaimed artists, including Amy Winehouse, Duran Duran, and Adele.

While the name Spanky may have originated as a nickname or diminutive form, it has since become a standalone given name in its own right, though its usage remains relatively uncommon compared to more traditional names.

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

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

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