Names that Peaked in 1883
Across 9 pages
of 9
Newt
English
"a small salamander"
Rarely used on its own and irrevocably tied to former House Speaker Gingrich -- who was christened Newton.
Orson
Latin and English
"bear cub"
In the past, Orson has felt like a one-person moniker, tied to film director Orson Welles, who dropped his given name of George in favor of his more distinctive middle. While the Citizen Kane creator…
Zack
Short form of Zachary or Zachariah
As the common short form of Zachary or, more unusually, Zachariah, Zack is less intuitive than Zach or Zac in terms of spelling but clearer in terms of pronunciations. Maybe because it rhymes with…
Lute
Lute is a concise masculine name with multiple potential origins. Most directly, it references the stringed musical instrument popular during the Renaissance, deriving from Arabic 'al-ʿūd.' As a…
Lem
Diminutive of Lemuel, Hebrew
"devoted to God"
Lem is a corn-cob pipe-smoking, back porch-rocking nickname name. But we predict as Sam and Gus become ho-hum, more parents will look to Lem.
Mittie
Diminutive of Matilda or Martha
Mittie is an antiquated nickname, best known as the name of the mother of President Theodore Roosevelt. It may be a short form of the pet name Mitten.
Dock
English word name
"enclosed area of water in a port for ships to load and unload"
A sailing and sea-related choice, which also feels connected to the reparative powers of nature (via dock leaves) and to doctors generally, Dock made the Top 1000 in the first half of the 20th…
Almeda
Almeda is a feminine name with Latin origins, derived from the word 'almus' meaning 'nourishing' or 'kind.' It may also be connected to the Spanish term 'alameda,' referring to a tree-lined avenue or…
Harve
Harve is a masculine name that functions as a shortened form of Harvey, which derives from Old Breton origins meaning "battle worthy" or "iron." This concise variant maintains the strength of the…
Mont
Diminutive of Montgomery or French
"mountain"
Monty Burns, on The Simpsons , smashed to pieces any goodwill for his first name leftover from Monty Python . But if you drop the "y," you're left with a distinctly Gallic sounding nickname name. If…
Corda
Corda is a feminine name with Latin roots, meaning 'heart' or 'string of a musical instrument.' This uncommon name carries musical connotations and can be related to 'cordial,' suggesting warmth and…
Benton
English surname and place name
"bent grass enclosure"
Benton is an old English surname of a type usually given to local landowners. It is also recorded in early records as Beneton and Bentune. Benton newly returned to the Social Security list in 2011…
Alvena
Feminine form of Alvin, English
"noble friend, friend of the elves"
Similar to Alma and Alba, Alina and Alexandra, Alvena is a clunky but interesting possibility. A notable bearer is Alvena Vajda Sečkar, an American painter, children's book author, and social…
Sumner
English occupational name
"summoner"
Billionaire Sumner Redstone, the nonagenarian owner of CBS and Viacom, practically has a monopoly on his first name — for now. But Hunter, Asher, and Ryder have ushered in a major vogue "-er" names,…
Doc
English word name
A boy with this name is certain to be bombarded with "What's up, doc?" every day of his life. Even Doctor would be preferable.
Guss
Guss is a brief, punchy masculine name that typically functions as a nickname for names like Augustus, Gustave, or Angus. This shortened form carries a folksy, unpretentious charm with its…
Fronie
Diminutive of Sophronia, Greek
"sensible, prudent"
These days Sophie would be the most likely nickname for Sophronia, but back in Colonial times, Fronie was a common diminutive.
Jossie
Jossie is a feminine name that functions as a diminutive of names like Jocelyn, Josephine, or Josette. With English and French influences, it carries a sweet, endearing quality through its 'ie'…
Henery
Spelling variation of Henry
Onie
Onie is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It likely developed as a diminutive of names like Leonie, Antonia, or Iona, though it can stand independently. The name has a sweet, vintage…