UK name, mostly boys
Channing
Channing is an Old English surname meaning "someone from Channan, England".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Channing is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Channing popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3412, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 11 births.
This profile covers 61 England and Wales registrations across 9 recorded years from 2009 to 2018. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 45% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 61 living people in the UK are called Channing. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2019 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Channing ranked #3412 for boys in England and Wales in 2018, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2015, when 11 boys were registered as Channing.
- • About 61 living people in the UK are estimated to have Channing as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 91.0% of Channing registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3412
2018
Births in 2018
5
Latest year
Peak year
2015
11 births
Estimated living
61
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Channing
In England and Wales birth records, Channing has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 91.0% of registrations are for boys and 9.0% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Channing registered for boys
- Ranked #3,412 in 2018
- 5 boys registered in 2018
- Peak: 2015 (11 births)
Channing registered for girls
- Ranked #3,900 in 1999
- 3 girls registered in 1999
- Peak: 1996 (3 births)
Meaning
What does Channing mean?
The name Channing originated from an English surname derived from the Old English word "cening," meaning "bold" or "brave." It was initially used as a surname before becoming a popular given name. The name gained prominence in the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly among Puritan families in England and later in the American colonies.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Channing can be found in the writings of John Foxe, an English historian and martyrologist, who mentioned a certain "Channing" in his book "Acts and Monuments" (also known as the "Book of Martyrs") published in 1563. This suggests that the name was already in use during the 16th century.
In the 17th century, the name Channing was associated with William Ellery Channing, an American Unitarian minister and theologian born in 1780. He was a prominent figure in the Unitarian movement and a leading thinker of the time, known for his advocacy of religious tolerance and social reform.
Another notable bearer of the name was Channing Moore Bishop, an American politician and lawyer born in 1822. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut and played a significant role in the Civil War era.
Moving forward to the 20th century, Channing Tatum, an American actor and dancer, brought renewed attention to the name. Born in 1980, he gained widespread recognition for his roles in various popular films, including "Step Up," "Magic Mike," and "Logan Lucky."
Additionally, Channing Pollock, an American playwright and author born in 1880, is remembered for his works such as "The Fool" and "The Enemy." His plays often explored societal issues and themes of morality.
Furthermore, Channing Harris Cox, an American journalist and author born in 1899, made significant contributions to the field of journalism, particularly through his work as an editor for several publications, including the Washington Post and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
While the name Channing has its roots in the English language, it has gained popularity across various cultures and regions, with individuals from diverse backgrounds embracing this name and its connotations of boldness and bravery.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Channing over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Channing in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Channing, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2018, compared with 11 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Channing by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Channing was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #2785 | 58 | 8 |
| 2000s | #4527 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Channing
- Charlie 104,761
- Callum 65,796
- Connor 53,072
- Cameron 40,394
- Charles 33,091
- Christopher 26,849
- Caleb 15,553
- Corey 12,622
- Carter 11,505
- Cody 11,075
- Conor 10,298
- Christian 9,695
FAQ
Channing: questions and answers
How popular is the name Channing in the UK right now?
In 2018, Channing was ranked #3412 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Channing most popular?
The peak year on record was 2015, with 11 babies registered as Channing in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Channing?
Channing is an Old English surname meaning "someone from Channan, England".
How many people are called Channing in the UK?
A total of 61 babies have been registered as Channing across the 9 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.