Courtenay is an English given name of Norman origin, derived from the surname Courtenay, which was borne by a prominent family during the Middle Ages. The name translates to "from court town," reflecting the family's connection to the French nobility and their residence in towns near royal courts. It has been used as both a male and female given name throughout history, though it is now more commonly associated with females. In literature, one notable character named Courtenay appears in Charlotte Brontë's novel "Shirley.
"Courteny saw a peak in popularity between 1987 and 1990, with 5 to 6 babies named Courteny each year. There was another spike in 1995 with 7 births. However, it seems the name's usage has since declined, as there were only 5 or 6 births per year from 1999 onwards."