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Whit

♂ Boy

Pronounced WIT /ˈwit/Medium

Meaning: WhiteMedium

In 30 seconds: Whit is an English name meaning 'white'.

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningWhite

U.S. rank (2025)#1958 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births79 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,287

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Whit carries the simple meaning 'white', a short and clean English name that also appears with the doubled spelling Whitt. It has the feel of a clipped surname put to use as a first name. American filmmaker Whit Stillman and character actor Whit Bissell are among its bearers.

The single brisk syllable gives the name an understated, slightly literary feel, fitting its appearance among writers and actors.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Whit is 'white', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 70%

Behind the Name - Whit — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

Whitt

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Whit Stillman (1952–present)
American film director and writer, Oscar-nominated for 'Metropolitan'.
★Whit Bissell (1909–1996)
American character actor who appeared in over 200 films and many TV series.

If you like Whit…

Wyatt— another short English-rooted boys' name with the 'W' opening

Wren— a fellow English choice

Ash— a similarly popular pick

Kit— a fellow English choice

Will— shares Whit's English roots

Explore names like Whit

By themeenglish unisex

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Whit mean?

Whit is usually explained as meaning 'white' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Whit?

It's commonly said WIT /ˈwit/.

Is Whit a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Whit is used as a boy name.

How popular is Whit?

In 2024, Whit ranked #2110 in the U.S. for boys, with 71 births recorded.