Destiny

Updated: September 26, 2023 by MomsWhoThink Staff

Destiny has been a popular name for girls since 1975. It was actually one of the top 50 names for over a decade and still continues to be a common name in 2023. The popularity is not as high as it used to be, but it is still one of the most used names for girls.

Meaning of the Name Destiny

The baby name Destiny came from the English word that means “fate,” just like the name. Ultimately, this word came from “destinare” in Latin, which came from the original “stare.” Destiny has only been a name since the late 1900s.

The word “destinare” in Latin that Destiny comes from means “to determine.” This word, however is a version of the Latin word “stare,” meaning “to stand.” Fate is ultimately the determinant for your life, which makes sense for where Destiny came from.

Nicknames for Destiny

Destiny is a beautiful name and comes with some unique and pretty nicknames. Nicknames you may be familiar with include “Dez” or “Dezzie”. We've compiled a list of lesser-used nicknames and gathered them here for you to consider:

Dez
Dess
Dezzie
Dessie
Desi
Nini
Tiny
Destie
Desty

Destiny Name Details

Style: Modern

Gender: The name is a popular girls name but can be used for any gender.

Pronunciation: DEHS-ti-nee

Syllables: Three

Alternative Spellings

Destini
Destinee
Destiney
Destaney
Destinei

Little child girl in an astronaut costume is playing and dreaming of becoming a spaceman. Portrait of funny kid on a background of bright blue wall with yellow stars. — ©Yuganov Konstantin/Shutterstock.com

Popularity of the name Destiny

Destiny feels young and flirty. It is a trendy and modern name that has a certain cool vibe with it. The baby name Destiny became a top 1,000 name in 1975 at rank 837. It became a top 100 name in 1994 and a top 50 name in 1997 until 2008. The name remained a top 100 name until 2011, then became a top 200 name until 2015. As of the year 2020, Destiny ranks at number 351.