Names that Peaked in 1881

  1. Cicero
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "chickpea"
    • Description:

      Roman statesman's name with a cool and quirky sound. Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman scholar, orator and lawyer who had an immense impact on the Latin language.
  2. Cass
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Casper etc
    • Description:

      A light variation of any of the weightier names beginning with Cas, such as Casper, Cassius etc- this is a beautifully mellow and soft name that bears greater consideration.
  3. Dixon
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "son of Dick"
    • Description:

      A relatively common surname, Dixon would be an inventive way to honor an ancestral Richard or Dick, the X form a lot livelier than the Dickson spelling, just as Dix is a more modern short form than Dick; it would be right at home alongside Dax and Jax.
  4. Paralee
    • Description:

      Paralee is a feminine given name that appears to have emerged in the United States primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name may be a compound formation combining elements like 'Para-' (possibly from Greek, meaning 'beside' or 'beyond') and '-lee' (a common suffix in American feminine names, possibly derived from the popular name Lee which has English origins meaning 'meadow' or 'clearing'). Alternatively, it might be a variant of Paralie or Parley. Historical records show usage primarily in the Southern United States during the early 1900s. The name follows patterns of other melodic feminine names ending in '-lee' or '-lie' that were somewhat common during this period. Paralee has become quite rare in contemporary naming patterns, representing a style of naming that was more prevalent in earlier generations.
  5. Christ
    • Origin:

      English from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "anointed, messiah"
    • Description:

      Meaning "anointed one" in Greek, this was a title applied to Jesus by early Greek-speaking followers. It has been used as the English form of both Christos and Chrestos, which means "good".
  6. Philo
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "loving"
    • Description:

      Could Philo be the next Milo?
  7. Elvie
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Elva, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "leader of the elves"
    • Description:

      If Ellie and Evie are fashionable, why not Elvie? This is a diminutive of the Anglicized version of the Irish name spelled Ailbhe.
  8. Ora
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "prayer"
    • Description:

      Short and slight, with great potential now that names like Ava, Ida and Orla are popular. Ora Beach is a tourist destination on Seram Island, Indonesia.
  9. Finis
    • Description:

      Finis is a masculine name derived from the Latin word meaning 'end,' 'boundary,' or 'conclusion.' Historically, this name was sometimes given to a final child in a family, signifying that parents did not plan to have more children. While relatively rare in contemporary usage, Finis has occasional historical appearances, particularly in the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The name carries philosophical overtones, suggesting completion and fulfillment. Though uncommon, Finis offers a distinctive classical quality with its Latin derivation and meaningful etymology. Its brevity and clear pronunciation give it accessibility despite its rarity. For parents drawn to names with clear meanings and historical depth, Finis presents an uncommon option with significant symbolic resonance.

  10. Alabama
    • Origin:

      Place-name; Choctaw
    • Meaning:

      "vegetation gatherers"
    • Description:

      Alabama is a hot southern place-name, picking up from Georgia and Savannah. This is not a geographical name come lately, though--there have been girls named Alabama dating back well over a century.
  11. Prosper
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "favorable, prosperous"
    • Description:

      In France, pronounced PRO-spare, Prosper is a fairly common name; here it presents a worthy aspirational message for a child.
  12. Abbie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Abigail
    • Meaning:

      "my father is joyful"
    • Description:

      Abbie is a gently old-fashioned nickname name that owes its rising popularity to Top 10 Abigail. Abby may be the more usual spelling today.
  13. Albion
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "white, bright"
    • Description:

      Albion is an ancient, poetic, and literary name for Great Britain. As a name, Albion is a variation of Albus -- and Dumbledore fans might find it a congenial update. Attractive short forms include Al and Albie.
  14. Wirt
    • Description:

      Wirt is a masculine name with Germanic origins, derived from ancient words meaning "worthy" or "deserving." It may also have roots as an occupational surname for an innkeeper or host (from Middle High German "wirt"). The name is quite uncommon in modern usage, giving it a distinctive and vintage quality. Wirt gained some recognition through the character Wirt from the animated miniseries "Over the Garden Wall," which introduced it to a new generation. Its short, strong sound and traditional Germanic heritage make it an understated choice for parents seeking a name with historical depth but minimal contemporary usage.

  15. Rilla
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "small brook"
    • Description:

      Rilla dropped out of the US Top 1000 in 1915, but it's starting to feel like an intriguing possibility again in this age of short, sweet, a-ending names for girls. It is traditionally a short form for names ending in -rilla, like Marilla from the Anne of Green Gables books (Anne's youngest daughter is Bertha Marilla, called Rilla for short). Rilla may also derive from the German word Rille, meaning "brook; stream".
  16. Marrion
    • Description:

      Marrion is a masculine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Marion or Marian. These names ultimately derive from the Latin Marius, a Roman family name, or Maria, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'sea of bitterness' or 'drop of the sea.' The double 'r' spelling adds a distinctive touch to the traditional name. While Marion was once common for men (notably Marion Robert Morrison, better known as John Wayne), it later became more associated with women. Marrion, with its variant spelling, helps reclaim the masculine identity of the name. It has a dignified, classic sound while remaining uncommon. The name suggests qualities of strength, endurance, and possibly devotion, especially considering the Marian religious connections in Christianity.

  17. Ala
    • Origin:

      Igbo, Polish, diminutive of Alicja
    • Meaning:

      "nobility"
    • Description:

      Ala is the Igbo earth goddess whose symbol is the crescent moon. In a very different vein, Ala can be a diminutive for Alicja or Alexandra or really any other name with an A at both ends and an L in the middle. Ala is also an Arabic name meaning "excellence, supremacy"; could be confused as a homonym for Allah, or as part of a phrase like a la mode.
  18. Elvina
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "elf friend"
    • Description:

      Sounds elven in every sense of the word.
  19. Deforest
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "living near the forest"
    • Description:

      Nature surname with an aristocratic edge. Spelling it DeForest distances it from deforestation.
  20. Lovina
    • Description:

      Lovina is a feminine name with several possible origins. It may be derived from Latin 'lovina' relating to love, or could be a variant of Lavinia, an ancient Roman name associated with Latin settlers. Some suggest it may be a combination of 'love' with the feminine suffix '-ina.' The name has historical usage among the Amish communities in the United States, particularly notable in the Lovina settlement in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. There is also a beach called Lovina in Bali, Indonesia. The name has a gentle, melodious quality with its soft consonants and flowing rhythm. Though never extremely common, Lovina offers vintage charm while remaining recognizable. It provides an uncommon alternative to more familiar names like Lavinia or Loveday.

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