NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Chey

A Native American name referring to the Cheyenne tribe.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Chey is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Chey popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 9 births.

This profile covers 58 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 1996 to 2022. 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 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 57 living people in the UK are called Chey. 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 2023 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Chey ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2022, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 9 boys were registered as Chey.
  • About 57 living people in the UK are estimated to have Chey as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 89.2% of Chey registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4789

2022

Births in 2022

3

Latest year

Peak year

1998

9 births

Estimated living

57

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Chey

In England and Wales birth records, Chey has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 89.2% of registrations are for boys and 10.8% 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.

89% boys
Boys58 (89.2%)Girls7 (10.8%)

Chey registered for boys

  • Ranked #4,789 in 2022
  • 3 boys registered in 2022
  • Peak: 1998 (9 births)

Chey registered for girls

  • Ranked #3,174 in 1997
  • 4 girls registered in 1997
  • Peak: 1997 (4 births)

Meaning

What does Chey mean?

The name Chey has its origins in the indigenous cultures of North America. It is believed to be derived from the Cheyenne tribe, a Native American Plains Indian nation that historically inhabited the regions of present-day Montana, Colorado, and Wyoming. The Cheyenne language is an Algonquian language, and the name Chey may have its roots in this linguistic family.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Chey can be found in the writings of French missionary and explorer Jacques Marquette, who documented his encounters with the Cheyenne people in the late 17th century. Marquette's records provide valuable insights into the cultural practices and traditions of the Cheyenne tribe during that era.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Chey. One of the most famous was Cheyenne leader Black Kettle (c. 1803-1868), who played a significant role in the resistance against the encroachment of European settlers and the United States government on Native American lands. Black Kettle was known for his efforts to maintain peace and protect his people's way of life.

Another prominent figure was Cheyenne warrior and chief Roman Nose (c. 1830-1868), who led his tribe in battles against the United States Army during the Indian Wars of the late 19th century. Roman Nose was renowned for his bravery and tactical skills in combat, and his name became synonymous with resistance against the subjugation of Native American tribes.

In the realm of literature, Chey is the name of a character in the novel "The Last of the Mohicans" by James Fenimore Cooper, published in 1826. Chey is portrayed as a Mohican woman who is a love interest of the novel's protagonist, Nathaniel "Natty" Bumppo. The character's name reflects Cooper's attempt to depict Native American culture and traditions in his works.

Another notable figure was Cheyenne artist and educator Chey-wa-kun (c. 1886-1937), whose real name was Richard Davis. He was known for his intricate and detailed drawings and paintings that captured the traditional way of life of the Cheyenne people. Chey-wa-kun's works are celebrated for their cultural significance and artistic merit.

While the name Chey has its roots in Native American culture, it has gained popularity across various communities and has been adopted by individuals from diverse backgrounds. However, the name remains a significant part of the cultural heritage and history of the Cheyenne tribe, serving as a reminder of the rich traditions and resilience of Native American peoples.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Chey over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Chey in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Chey, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2022, compared with 9 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
02579199620092022

Decades

Chey by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Chey 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
2020s #4789 3 1
2010s #4500 10 3
2000s #2706 27 5
1990s #1940 18 3

Related

Names similar to Chey

FAQ

Chey: questions and answers

How popular is the name Chey in the UK right now?

In 2022, Chey was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Chey most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 9 babies registered as Chey in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Chey?

A Native American name referring to the Cheyenne tribe.

How many people are called Chey in the UK?

A total of 58 babies have been registered as Chey across the 12 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.