Tiffani is a feminine given name of American origin. It is a variant spelling of the name Tiffany, which has several possible origins and meanings.
One theory suggests that Tiffany is derived from the Old Norse word "tinfann", meaning "appearance" or "surface". This could be in reference to the transparent and reflective qualities of the gemstone tanzanite, which was first mined in Tanzania around 1967. The name Tiffany has been associated with the luxury jewelry store Tiffany & Co., founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany in New York City in 1837.
Another possible origin for the name Tiffany is as a surname of Norman origin, derived from the Old French word "tiffany", meaning "manifestation". This could refer to someone who was open and honest in their dealings with others.
The variant spelling Tiffani may have been popularized by the use of the name in literature and media. For example, the character Tiffany Valentine is a main character in the novel and film "True Blood", written by Charlaine Harris. The name Tiffani has also been used as a stage name by several performers, such as Tiffani Thiessen (formerly known as Tiffani Amber Thiessen) who was a cast member on the popular television show "Beverly Hills, 90210".
In terms of popularity, Tiffani is not currently among the most common names in America. According to data from the Social Security Administration, the name Tiffani ranked #863 in popularity for girls born in the United States in 2019. This indicates that while it may not be a traditional or widely used name, Tiffani is still recognized as a valid and acceptable feminine given name.
Overall, the name Tiffani has a unique and somewhat uncertain origin and meaning, but its use as both a given name and surname suggests that it has been in existence for some time. Its popularity may have been influenced by various cultural references, such as literature and media, and its association with certain famous individuals.
The name Tiffani has had an interesting journey in terms of popularity over the years in the United States. In the early 1960s, it was quite uncommon, with only 8 births recorded in 1962. However, it began to gain traction in the late 1960s and early 1970s, reaching a peak of 643 births in 1981.
The name's popularity continued to fluctuate throughout the decades. It reached another peak in the mid-1990s, with 615 births recorded in 1995. However, it began to decline steadily thereafter, dropping to just 23 births in 2011.
Despite this decline, Tiffani remains a unique and memorable name, with a total of 14,905 births recorded in the United States since 1962. It's fascinating to observe how trends in baby names can rise and fall over time, reflecting the cultural zeitgeist of each era.