Courtnay

French
"short nose"

Courtnay Origin and Meaning

The name Courtnay is a girl's name.

Courtnay is a feminine name representing a variant spelling of Courtney, which originated as an aristocratic Norman-French surname meaning 'domain of Curtis' or 'short nose.' The surname derives from a place name combining 'court' (settlement with a courtyard) and the personal name Curtis. This spelling variation with 'ay' instead of 'ey' gives the name a slightly more distinctive appearance while maintaining the same pronunciation. Courtnay peaked in popularity during the 1990s alongside other forms of the name but has always been the less common spelling. The name carries associations with elegance and nobility due to its aristocratic origins, while also conveying a modern, approachable quality that has maintained its appeal across generations.