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Names that Peaked in 1960

  1. Kim

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Kimberly; Vietnamese; Scandinavian diminutive of Joachima; Soviet name

    • Description:

      Kim was the coolest name... of the 1960s. Kim was popularized by actress Kim Novak, and its energy is still maintained by rapper Lil' Kim, but it holds lil' or no appeal for new babies. Parents who like Kim's short, sweet sound might look to a choice such as Sam, Lou, or Belle.
  2. Kenny

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Kenneth

    • Description:

      Kenny might be all South Park to some, but it has been in steady use in the US since the 1930s.
  3. Elana

    • Description:

      Elana is a feminine name with Hebrew origins, derived from variants of Elena, Helen, or Elaine. It means 'light,' 'bright one,' or 'torch.' This melodic name combines the elegance of Elena with a slightly unique spelling, making it both familiar and distinctive. Elana gained modest popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s but has remained relatively uncommon, appealing to parents seeking a name with cultural roots and a gentle sound. The name carries a warm, luminous quality that reflects its meaning, and it works well across various cultural backgrounds while maintaining its connection to Hebrew heritage.

  4. Tim

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Timothy, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "honoring God"

    • Description:

      Tim is a boyish short form occasionally given on its own. There were 37 baby boys named Tim in the US last year, versus over 1700 named Timothy.
  5. Rolf

    • Origin:

      Abbreviated form of Rudolf, German

    • Meaning:

      "famous wolf"

    • Description:

      Like Papa name Rudolf, Rolf never quite emigrated from the Bavarian Alps. You might want to move on to Rollo or Wolf.
  6. Venita

    • Description:

      Venita is a feminine name with Latin roots, likely derived from 'venire' meaning 'to come' or possibly connected to Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. The name has a gentle, flowing quality with its soft consonants and melodic rhythm. Venita saw modest popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s, but has since become less common, giving it a distinctive vintage charm today. The name carries a warm, inviting quality while maintaining an air of elegance. With its romantic undertones and lyrical sound, Venita appeals to parents looking for a name that's both graceful and uncommon. Its similarity to the Spanish word 'bonita' (beautiful) may add to its cross-cultural appeal.

  7. Teri

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Theresa

    • Meaning:

      "to harvest"

    • Description:

      One of the original cool, sleek gender neutral names, but it's since lost that edge to hits like Leni and Teddy. Today's Teri would probably be Tess or Tessa.
  8. Fran

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Frances

    • Meaning:

      "from France or free man"

    • Description:

      This short form has been pretty much replaced by Frankie, however, it could fit in with other clunky but charming names, like Peggy, Bess, and Enid.
  9. Toni

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Antonia, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from Antium"

    • Description:

      In the 1940s, Toni began to surpass its progenitor, Antonia, but it peaked in 1960 and has since dropped back below the US Top 1000.
  10. Dori

    • Description:

      Dori is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Greek, it's a diminutive of Dorothea or Dorothy, meaning 'gift of God.' In Hebrew, it relates to 'generation' or can be a nickname for Deborah. In Japanese culture, Dori can mean 'bird.' This multicultural versatility adds to its appeal. The name gained recognition through pop culture, including as a character in 'Finding Nemo.' With its short, sweet sound and easy pronunciation across languages, Dori offers a friendly, approachable quality. While never reaching top popularity charts, it maintains consistent usage as parents appreciate its simplicity and cheerful essence. The name balances being recognizable without being overly common.

  11. Skip

    • Description:

      Skip is a casual, spirited masculine name that originated as a nickname rather than a formal given name. Traditionally, it emerged as a diminutive for various names, particularly Christopher, but also for Richard, Skipper, or other names. The name evokes a carefree, energetic personality—someone who might 'skip' through life with enthusiasm. Skip gained some popularity in mid-20th century America, particularly during the 1950s-60s, reflecting the era's fondness for friendly, approachable nicknames as standalone names. While rarely used as a birth name today, it retains nostalgic charm and continues to be used as a nickname. The name carries associations with youthfulness, informality, and an unpretentious American sensibility.
  12. Laurie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Laura

    • Meaning:

      "from Laurentum or bay laurel"

    • Description:

      Laurie morphed into the more streamlined Lori in the sixties but now feels dated for a girl in either spelling. Update Lauren has been renovated as Laurel or Laura itself.
  13. Jeanine

    • Origin:

      French variation of Jean

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Together with the more common (in France) Jeannine spelling, this feminine form of Jean was most popular in the 1930s in its home country, and in the 1960s in the US. It's fallen off the Top 1000 list since, but perhaps cute retro nickname Jeannie could tempt some vintage-loving parents back.
  14. Teressa

    • Description:

      Teressa is a feminine name that represents a spelling variant of the more common Teresa or Theresa. Of Greek origin, the name ultimately derives from 'therizo,' meaning 'to harvest,' or possibly from the Greek island of Thera. Teressa carries the warmth and classic appeal of the traditional form while offering a slightly different spelling. The name has religious significance through Saint Teresa of Ávila and Mother Teresa. While less common than Teresa, this variant maintains the name's associations with compassion, spiritual devotion, and inner strength. Teressa experienced modest popularity in the mid-20th century but has become less common in recent decades, giving it a vintage charm.
  15. Curt

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Curtis

    • Meaning:

      "courteous, polite"

    • Description:

      Short and to the point, muscular and strong.
  16. Chuck

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Charles

    • Description:

      So far out it's almost ready to be let back in.
  17. Darryll

    • Description:

      Darryll is a variant spelling of Daryl, a masculine name with Old English origins. Derived from 'Darrell' or 'Darell,' it ultimately comes from a surname meaning 'open-hearted' or possibly referring to 'D'Airelle,' a Norman French place name. The double 'l' spelling gives Darryll a distinctive look while maintaining the same pronunciation. Though less common than Daryl or Darrell, Darryll experienced modest popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, it's a relatively uncommon choice that offers familiarity while being distinctive. The name carries connotations of strength and individuality.

  18. Britt

    • Description:

      Britt as a masculine name is less common than its usage for females, making it an interesting gender-neutral option. Originally a nickname for Brittany or Bridget when used for women, as a male name it typically derives from the Old Norse 'Britr' meaning 'Briton' or can be a shortened form of names like Britton. The name has a strong, concise sound with Nordic connections. In Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden, Britt has been used as a standalone name for both genders, though more commonly for females. For males, it projects a modern, slightly unconventional image while maintaining simplicity and strength. Its brevity gives it a contemporary feel that works well internationally, though its usage for boys remains relatively uncommon in most regions.
  19. Antionette

    • Origin:

      Variation of Antoinette, French feminine form of Anthony, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from Antium"

    • Description:

      There may be some parents who deliberately transpose the i and the o in this name, pronouncing it an-tee-oh-net. And then there are those parents who are just spelling Antoinette differently.
  20. Renita

    • Description:

      Renita appears to be a feminine name with Latin linguistic roots, likely derived from "renatus" meaning "born again" or "reborn." It may have developed as a diminutive or variant form of Renata, a name with historical usage throughout Europe, particularly in Italy and Spain. Renita gained modest popularity in the United States during the 1950s through the 1970s, peaking in usage during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The name follows phonetic patterns common in feminine names of the era, featuring the popular -ita suffix that adds a melodic quality and was fashionable during this period. While less commonly given to newborns today, Renita represents the mid-century trend toward names with romantic sounds and meaningful origins, and continues to be recognized as an established feminine name with Latin derivation.