Names that Peaked in 1880
Across 15 pages
of 15
Ossie
Short form of Oscar, Osias, Oswald et al
Ossie is best-known as the name of actor Ossie Davis, whose full name did not start with Os: It was Raiford. But Ossie makes a cute contemporary short form for any name beginning with Os.
Perry
English
"dweller near a pear tree"
It's a long time now since this casual but suave name was linked to velvet-throated, cardigan-sweatered singer Perry (born Pierino, son of Pietro) Como's day... and this could be the moment for a…
Rafe
Variation of Ralph, English
"wolf-counsel"
A top ranking choice in England and Wales, making frequent appearances on the Telegraph Announcments, Rafe feels equal parts rugged, amiable, and posh. Traditionally seen used a variant of Ralph…
Rice
English nature name
Rice is really stretching the nature name boundary to its outer edges. But you may want to take it that far.
Rutherford
English
"cattle ford"
Stuffy presidential choice: consider Hayes instead.
Shade
English word name
Nice sound, but double meaning -- shady glen or shady character.
Simeon
Hebrew
"he [God] has heard"
Could Simeon be the next Gideon? Parents seeking a less simple form of Simon might consider this biblical appellation that was chosen by Wynton Marsalis for his son. Simon is actually the Greek…
Salomon
Salomon is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, representing a variant spelling of Solomon. Derived from 'shalom' meaning 'peace,' it carries the beautiful meaning of 'peaceful one.' This form of the…
Squire
French
"esquire"
Conjures up a tweedy English country gentleman with a large paunch.
Tom
Diminutive of Thomas
"twin"
Just like Sam and Ben, Tom could be revived as a simple, well liked name on its own. Tom, just Tom, is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in France
Tilden
English place-name
"fertile valley"
Though it has some distinguished political and tennis world associations, most modern parents would go for the more contemporary sounding Holden. Tilden Park is a beautiful hillside wilderness in the…
Volney
German
"spirit of the people"
Has a rather heavy surname feel.
Webb
English occupational name
"weaver"
This pleasant single-syllable surname might be especially appealing to someone involved with the internet (and who isn't?)--even if some others might see it as a drawback. Webb is one of those names…
Willis
Diminutive of William, German
"resolute protection"
A common surname that was popular as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th century, Willis dropped off the US Top 1000 back in the early 90s, just as alternative William diminutive, Liam,…
Jabez
Hebrew
"borne in pain"
Jabez has a rare combo of three appealing elements: a Biblical heritage, a captivating Southern accent, and a jazzy feel. It was popular with the Pilgrims and on into the nineteenth century (there…
Rufus
Latin
"red-head"
Rufus is a rumpled, redheaded (it was the nickname for red-haired King William) ancient Roman name popular with saints and singers (e.g. Rufus Wainwright); now, Rufus is on the cutting edge of cool.…
Orilla
Orilla is a feminine name with Latin origins, derived from 'ora' meaning 'coast' or 'shore.' This uncommon name evokes imagery of peaceful coastal landscapes and ocean borders. While never reaching…
Winfield
English
"meadow, field"
An English surname derived from multiple place names, which ranked in the Top 500 for boys in the US until the turn of the 20th century.
Harriett
English
"home ruler"
This alternative spelling of Harriet has always ranked in the England top 1000, reaching as high as the top 50 in the late 1800s. The extra T changes nothing about the pronunciation but adds a little…
Emmet
English; Hebrew
"universal; truth"
Honest and sincere, laid-back and creative, Emmet is a male cognate of the megapopular Emma and Emily, but the more common spelling is Emmett. Emmet dropped off the US Top 1000 in 1934 and reentered…