From a surname which was originally derived from a place name meaning "white island" in Old English. Its popular use as a feminine name was initiated by actress Whitney Blake (1925-2002) in the 1960s, and further boosted in the 1980s by singer Whitney Houston (1963-2012). Whitney originates in Old English language and means "from a white island". Initially, it was a surname derived from a place name. Nowadays, it can be used as both masculine and feminine given names, as well as a surname. It was popularized by the American actress and singer Whitney Houston.
