Whit is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English word "hwit," which means "white." It was often used as a nickname for people with fair hair or complexion. In some cases, Whit can also be a short form of the given names Whitney or Whitfield.
The name Whit has been in use since the Middle Ages and was particularly popular during the Victorian era. It was traditionally used as a boy's name but can now be used for both boys and girls. Some famous people with the name Whit include American actress Whitteney White (b. 1987) and British musician Whitworth "Whit"stable, who played keyboards for the band The Specials in the late 1970s.
Despite its historic usage, Whit remains relatively uncommon today, making it a unique choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their child. Its association with the color white may also make it appealing to those interested in names with symbolic or metaphorical meanings related to purity, lightness, or simplicity. Overall, Whit is an interesting and unusual name with a rich history that stretches back centuries.
The name Whit has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of babies named Whit remained relatively low, with fewer than 10 births per year from 1881 to 1920.
However, starting in the 1920s, there was a notable uptick in the number of babies named Whit. Between 1923 and 1924, the number of births increased from 15 to 19, marking the first time that more than 15 babies were named Whit in a single year.
The popularity of the name Whit continued to fluctuate throughout the mid-20th century. In the 1930s and 1940s, the number of births ranged from 5 to 9 per year. However, by the late 1950s and early 1960s, the popularity of Whit began to rise again, with more than 10 births per year from 1952 to 1964.
The 1970s saw a slight decline in the number of babies named Whit, but the name remained relatively stable throughout this decade. Starting in the 1980s, however, there was another significant increase in the popularity of Whit. Between 1984 and 2000, the number of births ranged from 5 to 12 per year.
Over the past two decades, Whit has seen a remarkable surge in popularity. From 2005 to 2023, there were more than 10 births per year every single year, with peaks of 28 births in 2015, 29 births in 2016, and over 50 births in both 2022 and 2023.
In total, from 1881 to 2023, there have been 1,137 babies named Whit born in the United States. The name's popularity has seen numerous ups and downs over the years, but it is clear that Whit is currently more popular than ever before.