How popular is the baby name Fonzie in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Fonzie.

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Popularity of the baby name Fonzie


Posts that mention the name Fonzie

What brought the baby name Fonzie back in the 1970s?

The character Fonzie from the TV series "Happy Days" (1974-1984)
Fonzie from “Happy Days“

The name Fonzie — a nickname for Alfonso (and similar names) — appeared in the U.S. baby name data a handful of times during the early 20th century.

Then, after a four-decade absence from the data, Fonzie suddenly experienced a brief revival:

  • 1979: unlisted
  • 1978: unlisted
  • 1977: 8 baby boys named Fonzie
  • 1976: 6 baby boys named Fonzie
  • 1975: 9 baby boys named Fonzie
  • 1974: unlisted
  • 1973: unlisted

Why?

Because of the popular character Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli (played by Henry Winkler) from the TV series Happy Days, which premiered in 1974.

The main character of the series (which was set in the 1950s) was wholesome Wisconsin high schooler Richie Cunningham. Richie’s unlikely best friend, Fonzie, was a greaser who wore a leather jacket, rode a motorcycle, and worked as an auto mechanic (having dropped out of high school). Fonzie was the show’s breakout character.

What are your thoughts on the baby name Fonzie?

Sources: Happy Days – Wikipedia, SSA

P.S. The Happy Days spin-offs Joanie Loves Chachi and Out of the Blue also influenced U.S. baby names…

[Latest update: April 2023]

Where did the baby name Chachi come from in 1982?

The characters Joanie and Chachi from the TV series "Joanie Loves Chachi" (1982-1983)
Joanie and Chachi of “Joanie Loves Chachi“

The TV show Joanie Loves Chachi (1982-1983) was a Happy Days spin-off that focused on the characters Joanie Cunningham (sister of Richie) and Charles “Chachi” Arcola (cousin of Fonzie).

Joanie Loves Chachi didn’t last long, but it did make an impact on expectant parents.

In 1982, not only did the baby name Chachi show up in the U.S. baby name data for the first and only time, but the baby name Joanie was boosted back into the top 1,000 one last time:

Boys named ChachiGirls named Joanie
1984.86
1983.129
19829*176 [rank: 876th]
1981.130
1980.132
*Debut

Later that year, though, ABC’s Joanie Loves Chachi got destroyed (ratings-wise) by NBC’s The A-Team. Chachi never appeared on the charts again, and Joanie went downhill until it fell off the SSA’s list entirely (i.e., was given to fewer than five baby girls) in 2008.

P.S. Here’s the cheesy Joanie Loves Chachi opening theme song. Don’t say I didn’t warn you…

Update (2/26/15) – Just spotted the Chachi-variant Shashi, which was a one-hit the same year.