Meaning & origin
Where it comes from
Pennie is a variant of Penelope. A possible origin is Greek, although the derivation remains uncertain.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1882. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Pennie is a variant of Penelope. The history of Penelope gives this family its wider story. In mythological stories, Penelope is associated with the faithful wife of Odysseus.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Pennie through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 5,814
- 0 boys · 5,814 girls
- Most popular year
- 1963
- 258 babies
- 2025
- 15
- #7,408 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +22%
- Rising
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 15 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 7,408 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 22.0% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 258 in 1963. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 3,977 as a first name in 2020; 664 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Pennie’s family of names
Pennie has a related form in Penelope. In English usage, Pennie as a surname has a related form in Penny.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
People named Pennie
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Pennie, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Penni
>99% girls
Penney
Penney is a surname.
>99% girls
Reenie
“the golden one” · “a brooding woman”
>99% girls
Dea
“resembling a goddess”
>99% girls
Dori
“a gift of God” · “of the ancient Greek tribe, the Dorians”
>99% girls
Brigitte
Brigitte is a feminine given name. It is used in French and German.
>99% girls
Brigette
>99% girls
Cyndee
>99% girls