Names that Peaked in 1929
Across 2 pages
of 2
Gilbert
German
"shining pledge"
Considered ultra debonair in the silent-movie era, Gilbert then went through a nerdy phase, a la Gilbert Gottfried. Now though, like Albert and Alfred and Walter and Frank, it could be in for a style…
Gregorio
Italian variation of Gregory
"vigilant, a watchman"
More dramatic, worldly, and energetic spin on Gregory.
Herbert
German
"bright army"
Names ending in bert have long been in limbo, but with the return of Albert, maybe there's hope for Herbert. who could share the Bertie nickname. Herbert is a name that's been used by English…
Hilario
Hilario is a masculine name of Latin and Spanish origin, derived from the Latin word "hilaris" meaning "cheerful" or "joyful." This name has deep historical roots, dating back to ancient Rome and…
Leopoldo
Leopoldo is a masculine name with noble Germanic origins, being the Italian and Spanish form of Leopold. The name combines the elements 'leud' meaning 'people' and 'bald' meaning 'bold,' essentially…
Marcelino
Spanish and Portuguese from of Marcellinus, Latin
"belonging to Mars"
An elegant and arty, Marcelino is a form of Marcellinus, connected to names such as Marcus, Marcel, and Marcella, all of which link back to the Roman God of war, Mars. It featured sporadically in the…
Normand
Normand is a masculine name of Germanic origin, representing a variant of Norman. The name derives from the term 'Northman' or 'man from the north,' historically referring to Norse Vikings who…
Concepcion
Spanish
"conception"
Name given in honor of the Virgin Mary that might prove difficult for a modern Spanish-American child to pull off.
Verlin
Latin
"true"
Verlin is an obscure name that found some use in the US in the early part of the 20th century, but now it and variation Verlyn are extinct, given to no baby boys in the US last year. Verlyn…
Socorro
Spanish and Portuguese
"succour, help, relief"
Socorro is a Spanish and Portuguese word name taken from a title of the Virgin Mary, "Mary of Perpetual Succour." Its religious meaning makes it somewhat old-fashioned and not among the Spanish names…
Derald
Derald is a masculine name of Germanic origin, emerging as a variant of Darrell or Gerald. The name Gerald comes from elements meaning 'spear' and 'rule,' suggesting strength and leadership. Derald…
Velia
Velia is a feminine name with ancient Roman roots, derived from the Velian Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome. It may also relate to the Latin 'velare' meaning 'to veil' or 'to cover.' In some…
Margene
Margene is a feminine name that emerged as a modern variant of Margaret, which ultimately derives from the Greek 'margarites' meaning 'pearl.' This distinctive blend combines elements of Margaret…
Bennie
Diminutive of Benjamina, Benedicte, or Bernadette
"son of the right hand; blessed; brave bear"
Boyish nicknames for girls are in! With Leni rising, Bennie may appeal. Kylie & Jason Kelce use Bennie as a nickname for their third daughter - full name Bennett Llewellyn. After decades of no…
Sydell
Diminutive of Sarah, Sydney, or Siegfriede
"princess; Saint Denis; victorious peace"
A surname-y feeling diminutive name that had its (quiet) moment back in the 1920s and 30s, Sydell even made the Top 1000 in 1929 when 55 girls were given the name. It is likely derived from Sarah…
Betty
Diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
Combine the popularity of Betty White and Mad Men 's glamorous Betty Draper Francis, with the residual sweetness of Ugly Betty 's Betty Suarez, and the result is an impending return of the name. It's…
Coralie
French from Latin
"coral"
Coralie is a French name not often heard here, though she's gaining some recognition via Neil Gaiman's similar sounding spooky and lovely children's book, Coraline . Other literary appearances:…
Doris
Greek
"gift of the ocean"
Doris had long been on our so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out-for-babies list, and seemed to be written there in indelible ink. But there are signs of a sea change, that Doris could profit from the…
Esperanza
Spanish
"hope, expectation"
Esperanza is a Spanish classic that's found its way onto the national popularity list in recent years. It came into the spotlight not long ago when jazz singer Esperanza Spalding "stole" the Best New…
Evangelina
Greek
"bearer of good news"
Why is Evangeline so popular -- close to Number 200 in the US -- while Evangelina hasn't charted in the Top 1000 since the early 1950s? The stardom of Evangeline Lilly has something to do with the…