The first name Woody

In 2025, 103 boys were named Woody, making it the 396th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2020, with 129 births (#347).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Woody with other names.

In 2025, 10 boys born in the United States were named Woody, the 8,220th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1946, when 116 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Woody Allen
  American filmmaker, actor and comedian (born 1935)
• Woody Harrelson
  American actor (born 1961)
• Woody Guthrie
  American singer-songwriter (1912–1967)
• Woody Strode
  American athlete and actor (1914–1994)
• Woody Shaw
  American musician (1944-1989)
• Woody Johnson
  American businessman, ambassador, born 1947
• Woody Bledsoe
  American mathematician and computer scientist (1921–1995)
• Woody Norman
  British actor, born 2009
• Dan Woodgate
  English drummer, songwriter, composer and record producer, born 1960

What does the name Woody mean?

Clipping of Woodrow + -y.

How popular is the name Woody?

In 2025, 103 boys born in England and Wales were named Woody, ranking 396th. Its peak was 2020, with 129 births.

Is Woody a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 4,246 US babies named Woody since 1880 were boys.

When was Woody most popular?

1946 in the United States, when 116 babies were named Woody, its highest rank at 600th.

How do you pronounce Woody?

Woody is /ˈwʊdi/, 2 syllables.

Is Woody also a surname?

Yes. Woody is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.