Ginnie is a diminutive form of Virginia, which itself stems from the Latin 'Virginia,' meaning 'pure' or 'chaste.' This name was popularized by Queen Elizabeth I who was known as the 'Virgin Queen.' The use of Ginnie as an independent given name began in the late 19th century and continues to be used today, often alongside other vintage nicknames like Ginny or Genie. It is considered a unique yet approachable choice for parents seeking a distinctive name for their child.
Over the course of almost a century (from 1927 to 2021), the name Ginnie was given to approximately 787 newborn girls. The popularity of this name varied significantly over time. During certain periods, such as in the late 1940s and early 1950s, there were years with particularly high numbers of births registered under this name (up to 21 in a single year). However, there are also many years where fewer than ten Ginnies were born. The most recent data point shows that the name regained some popularity in 2021, with seven babies named Ginnie.