Names that Peaked in 1961
Across 2 pages
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Cherri
Cherri is a feminine variant of the name Cherry, derived from the English word for the fruit. It's a sweet, playful name that gained modest popularity in the mid-20th century as a nickname or…
Shari
Anglicized variation of Hungarian Sari, variation of Sarah
"princess"
This once-cool nickname-y name now belongs to the grandma generation.
Lauri
Lauri is a feminine name with Finnish origins, though it can also be used as a masculine name in Finland where it's a form of Laurence or Lawrence. The name derives from the Latin 'laurus' meaning…
Mike
English, diminutive of Michael
Unlike Jake or Sam, few parents put Mike on the birth certificate.
Belinda
Spanish or German
"pretty one, or, serpent"
Belinda, cousin of Linda and Melinda, enjoyed a brief return to the Top 1000 from 2005 through 2013, only to fall off again in 2014. A name that some may consider a modern spin on the midcentury…
Jacki
Jacki is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Jacqueline, which itself is the female equivalent of Jacques, the French form of Jacob. The name ultimately derives from Hebrew…
Monty
Diminutive of Montague or Montgomery, variation of Monte, English, Spanish
"mountain"
Monty, a name with a World War II feel, is rarely used on its own in the US. But we're hearing rumblings of a comeback and think that Monty, whatever it's short for, is an adorable vintage nickname…
Liz
Diminutive of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
Some might think a girl named Liz on her birth certificate would feel deprived of her full identity, but in a time when mini names like Liv, Kit, Tru, Kai, Lou, and Bea are in style, Liz feels…
Greg
Greg is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive of Gregory, which comes from the Greek name Gregorios, meaning 'watchful' or 'alert.' While Gregory has been used since early Christian times,…
Jana
International feminine variation of Jan
A sweet name with many cross-cultural ties: it's an equivalent of Jane in languages including Czech, Slovak, Dutch, German, Slovene, Catalan, Estonian, and Latvian.
Rusty
Short form of Russell
Though as a formal name Rusty is a little, well, rusty, it spent half a century among the Top 1000, departing only in 1995. Only 45 baby boys received the name in the US in one recent year and it's…
Velvet
English word name
"a fabric characterized by a short soft dense warp pile"
Velvet is a name that couldn't possibly be softer or more luxuriant. Many people have fond memories of it via the character of Velvet Brown, played by the young Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet ,…
Mitch
Mitch is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive of Mitchell, which itself began as a surname derived from the name Michael, meaning "who is like God?" in Hebrew. Mitch emerged as a…
Deirdre
Irish
"sorrowful"
Sadly, this strong Celtic name often has "of the sorrows" attached to it because of the tragic character in Irish legend. Also a bit drab when compared with newer Irish imports.
Loria
Basque
"glory"
While Aintza is perhaps a more accurate and modern Basque alternative to Gloria, Loria has long been considered a possibility too. It comes from loriatsua or loria meaning "glorious" or simply…
Chuck
Diminutive of Charles
So far out it's almost ready to be let back in.
Lars
Scandinavian from Latin Laurentius
"crowned with laurel"
Lars is a perfect candidate for a cross-cultural passport: it has been heard often enough here to sound familiar and friendly, yet retains the charisma of a charming foreigner. In this country Lars…