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Names that Peaked in 1881

  1. Cas

    • Origin:

      Short form of Casper, Persian

    • Meaning:

      "Imperial"

    • Description:

      This short-but-strong name is popular for boys in The Netherlands. While Cass is usually a female name in the U.S., it feels just as right for boys.
  2. Solon

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "the wise one"

    • Description:

      Despite the reputation of the sagacious ancient Greek lawmaker, this name hasn't moved to the modern world.
  3. Anson

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Anne"

    • Description:

      Anson has always been rare, though you might think of actor Anson Williams, best known for playing Potsie Weber on 1970s sitcom Happy Days. As a direct result of the show's popularity, Anson charted in the US Top 1000 from 1976 to 1981.
  4. 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".
  5. 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.

  6. Almedia

    • Description:

      Almedia is a feminine name with Spanish and Portuguese roots, derived from the place name Almeida, which means 'the table' or 'the plateau' in Arabic (al-ma'ida). It emerged as a surname before transitioning into occasional use as a given name. The name carries an air of elegance and antiquity, with medieval connections to towns in the Iberian Peninsula. Almedia reached modest popularity in the United States during the early 20th century but remains relatively uncommon today. With its melodic four-syllable structure and exotic feel, Almedia appeals to parents seeking a distinctive name with historical depth. The name evokes images of warmth and Mediterranean beauty, making it a graceful choice.
  7. 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.

  8. Ole

    • Description:

      Ole is a masculine name with strong Scandinavian roots, functioning as the Danish and Norwegian form of Olaf. Derived from the Old Norse name Óláfr, comprised of 'anu' meaning 'ancestor' and 'leifr' meaning 'heir' or 'descendant.' Traditionally pronounced 'OH-leh' in Scandinavian countries, the name has gained different pronunciations in other regions. Ole has maintained steady popularity in Norway, Denmark, and parts of northern Germany, while in the United States it has historically been associated with Scandinavian-American communities, particularly in the Upper Midwest. The name carries connotations of heritage and tradition while remaining simple and accessible. Ole's compact form gives it a friendly, approachable quality while still honoring Nordic naming traditions and cultural connections.

  9. Alta

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "elevated"

    • Description:

      Alta, one of the newer names bookended by the letter A, has a meaning that might raise a child's self-esteem. It was the middle name of First Lady Lady Bird Johnson.
  10. Dave

    • Origin:

      Short form of David, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "beloved"

    • Description:

      Dave is the ultimate good guy name, but where father name David is still holding onto a spot in the Top 20, Dave -- widely used as an independent name in the middle of the last century -- dropped off the Top 1000 a few decades ago and shows no signs of a comeback. Baby Davids today, often named for dad or grandpa, are more likely to be called David than Dave.
  11. Nona

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "ninth"

    • Description:

      Nona is a name sometimes given to the ninth child -- but unlikely to serve that purpose today. Musical cred: the name of a song by Motley Crue.
  12. Zaida

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "properous"

    • Description:

      Could be some disconnect between spelling and pronunciation.
  13. Claribel

    • Origin:

      English combination of Clara + -bel, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "bright + beautiful"

    • Description:

      Claribel improves on its mother name Clarabelle by distancing itself from the clown and the cow.
  14. 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".
  15. Ninnie

    • Description:

      Ninnie is a sweet, endearing feminine name that often serves as a diminutive for names like Nina, Annemarie, or Jennifer. With its repetitive soft consonants and playful ending, Ninnie has a naturally affectionate quality. Historically, it has appeared more frequently as a nickname than as a formal given name. The name carries associations of gentleness and warmth, though in some contexts it may evoke the somewhat dated term 'ninny,' meaning a foolish person. Despite this potential association, Ninnie maintains appeal for its genuine sweetness and vintage charm. The name fits within the trend of reviving old-fashioned nickname forms as standalone names. While uncommon in official records, Ninnie has persisted as a term of endearment in families across generations, particularly in Scandinavian and English-speaking regions.

  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. Hall

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "worker at the hall"

    • Description:

      A simple, self-possessed, somewhat serious surname, which might work better as a middle.
  19. Philo

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "loving"

    • Description:

      Could Philo be the next Milo?
  20. Dan

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is my judge"

    • Description:

      Often stands alone in Israel, but rarely here.