Names that Peaked in 1891
Across 5 pages
of 5
Adolf
German
"noble wolf"
Adolf may have been a Swedish royal name but the terrible dictatorship of Adolf Hitler has ruled out this name Adolf for any sensible parent. In the US last year, there were more than 100 boys' given…
Flossie
Diminutive of Florence
"flourishing, prosperous"
Flossie was an extremely popular Florence nickname that was used independently in the early twentieth century, given to over five hundred girls per year a century ago. Appealing, sweet as candy…
Hedwig
German
"war"
An ancient German saint's name – and most famously the name of Harry Potter's snowy owl – but the combination of "head" plus "wig" feels a little too literal in English.
Albin
Latin
"white"
Albin is a modern form of the ancient Roman Albinus or Albus, meaning white or bright. There was a Saint Albinus who was also known as Aubin. In the contemporary world, Albin is popular in Sweden and…
Sylva
Czech form of Silvia
"from the woods"
Sleek and sharp Sylva is the Czech variation of Silvia. It could equally double up as a word-adjacent name in English, thanks to its similarity to the metal Silver.
Ammon
Variation of Amman, German occupational name, Greek, Ancient Egyptian
"administrator; the hidden one"
Ammon is connected to two religions in the US and is used exclusively between the two of them. Prior to the 1960s, Ammon was considered a solely Amish name. In the Amish community, Ammon is bestowed…
Selma
German
"godly helmet"
Selma has recently been given a more youthful spin via actresses Selma Blair and Salma Hayek. But while Selma has not yet become popular again in the US, it is widely used in both Sweden and Norway.…
Flo
Diminutive of Florence, Latin
"flourishing, prosperous"
Flo is an antiquated nickname not often used these days, possibly because "Aunt Flo" is a euphemism for a period.
Ottilia
German and Swedish
"prosperous"
Form of Ottilie or Odilia
Berkley
Berkley is a masculine name derived from an English surname and place name, originally meaning 'birch tree meadow' or 'birch clearing' in Old English. This nature-inspired name carries associations…
Orlena
Orlena is a delicate feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variation of Orlene, which derives from French roots meaning "golden" or can be considered a feminine form of Orlando.…
Eudora
Greek
"generous gift"
Eudora is the name of five minor goddesses of Greek mythology and a major goddess (in the person of Pulitzer Prize-winning Eudora Welty) of modern American literature. Eudora is pleasant and…
Beula
Beula is a feminine name variant of Beulah, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'married' or 'married woman.' It appears in the Bible (Isaiah 62:4) where it refers to the land of Israel being reunited…
Clarence
Latin
"bright"
The name of the guardian angel in It's a Wonderful Life is rarely heard the rest of the year because of its studious, near-nerdy image, but this could change in the current naming climate. An English…
Cato
Latin
"all-knowing"
Cato conjures up images of ancient Roman statesmen and southern antebellum retainers; it could have revival potential, with its 'O' ending and the current interest in the names of Greek and Roman…
Carleton
English
"settlement of free men"
Carleton has a great meaning behind it, and should really have more popularity than it has found to date. You can shorten it to Carl or keep it upscale and formal in the longer form. Baseball Hall of…
Lelah
Lelah is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Leila or Layla, names with Arabic origins meaning 'night' or 'dark beauty.' Alternatively, it could be related…
Erle
Erle is a masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from the Old English 'eorl' meaning 'nobleman' or 'warrior,' which evolved into the title 'earl.' Alternatively, it could…
Ethyl
Ethyl is a feminine variation of Ethel, which derives from the Old English name Æðelþryð, meaning 'noble strength.' Popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ethyl has declined in usage…
Burns
Scottish and English
"from the burnt house"
The final s turns this name into a manservant.