How to say it
SYD · ney
ˈsɪd.ni
Feminine
Sydney
Wide meadow
What it means
An English surname, 'wide meadow' or 'wide island,' sometimes traced to the French Saint-Denis.
Sydney is an English surname meaning 'wide meadow' or 'wide riverside land,' with an alternate theory tracing it to a contraction of Saint-Denis. The Australian city, named for the 18th-century Lord Sydney, carries it worldwide. As a first name it tipped strongly feminine with the -y-d-ney spelling, while Sidney leans masculine. Syd and Sydnee are the spin-offs. Actress Sydney Sweeney keeps it current.
How to spell Sydney
The standard spelling is Sydney. Common variants include Sidney, Sydnee, Cydney, but Sydney is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #23 in 1999, currently #348 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed August 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Sydney leans feminine, Sidney masculine; same name underneath.
- Worth knowing
Shares its name with the Australian city.
Who's worn it
- Sydney Sweeney American actress
- Sydney Australia's largest city
Spelling variants
- Sidney
- Sydnee
- Cydney
Names with the same feeling
See Sydney from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Sydney mean?
- An English surname, 'wide meadow' or 'wide island,' sometimes traced to the French Saint-Denis.
- What does Sydney mean in English?
- In English, Sydney means "Wide meadow." Sydney is an English surname meaning 'wide meadow' or 'wide riverside land,' with an alternate theory tracing it to a contraction of Saint-Denis. The Australian city, named for the 18th-century Lord Sydney, carries it worldwide. As a first name it tipped strongly feminine with the -y-d-ney spelling, while Sidney leans masculine. Syd and Sydnee are the spin-offs. Actress Sydney Sweeney keeps it current.
- How do you pronounce Sydney?
- Sydney is pronounced ˈsɪd.ni. Say it as SYD-ney, with the stress on the "syd" syllable.
- How do you spell Sydney?
- The standard spelling is Sydney. Common spelling variants include Sidney, Sydnee, Cydney.
- Is Sydney a boy or girl name?
- Sydney is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Sydney?
- Sydney ranked #348 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.