Guy
A boys’ name of Old French origin, meaning leader, guide, wood.
Babies a year
156
the US, 2017
Rarity
Rare
among names in use
US popularity
—
outside the top 1000
UK popularity
#1226
23 babies
Guy by the numbers
In 2025, 23 babies in England and Wales were named Guy. In the US, 156 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
It is used at about the same rate on both sides of the Atlantic.
Its American peak was 2,302 babies in 1957, so it is a 1950s name that has since fallen a long way.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Guy. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Gusvenerable or majestic; a diminutive of Augustus39 in England and Wales (2025)
Other names that mean a forest or wood
Like Guy, each of these has a forest or wood in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Sawyerone who saws wood; woodcutter5,531 in the US (2017)
- Silasof the forest, woods3,309 in the US (2017)
- Lennoxelm grove or from the place of the elms1,200 in the US (2017)
- Emberglowing piece of coal or wood192 in England and Wales (2025)
- Henleyhigh wood or clearing670 in the US (2017)
- Keithforest; from gaelic cèith582 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean a leader
Like Guy, each of these has a leader in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Amirprince or commander2,620 in the US (2017)
- Dukeduke, leader of a region520 in the US (2017)
- Haroldarmy ruler, leader of warriors285 in the US (2017)
- Ameercommander, prince279 in the US (2017)
- Cedricbattle leader; a form of Cerdic207 in the US (2017)
- Emircommander, prince, or leader75 in England and Wales (2025)