Names that Peaked in 1891
Across 5 pages
of 5
Powell
English, Welsh "alert; son of Howell"
"alert; son of Howell"
Powerful surname choice with many distinguished bearers, fresher sounding than Parker.
Rolla
Rolla is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Germanic name Roland, meaning 'famous land,' or could be related to the Latin word 'rotula' meaning 'little wheel.' In…
Rush
English
"basket weaver"
Might suggest speed, excitement, even danger, were it not for its best-known bearer, conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh.
Sheridan
Irish
"searcher"
Sheridan is one surname-name that hasn't come into style for either gender, though it was lightly used for boys around the turn of the 20th century and girls 100 years later. The name does have an…
Sigurd
Norse
"guardian of victory"
This old Norse name is still used in contemporary Scandinavia. An ancient hero's name, Sigurd got a modern boost from a heroic figure in television's The Vikings .
Tillman
Tillman is a strong masculine name with Germanic origins, derived from the occupational surname meaning 'farmer' or literally 'one who works the land' (from Middle High German 'til' meaning field and…
Vick
Vick is a short, strong masculine name that typically functions as a diminutive of Victor or Vincent, though it has emerged as an independent given name. With Germanic roots relating to 'conqueror'…
Raleigh
English
"meadow of roe deer"
Attractive North Carolina place-name and surname of explorer Sir Walter Raleigh. Distinctive, classy-but-approachable choice for either sex.
Dovie
Diminutive of Dove or Deborah, English, Hebrew
"dove; bee"
Dovie was a fairly popular nickname name a century or more ago, dropping off the Top 1000 in the 1940s only to be heading back uphill now. Given to around 30 girls in a recent year, Dovie has a way…
Elzie
Diminutive of Eliezer, Hebrew
"God helps"
The male nickname Elzie originated as a short form of Eliezer. Neither are coming back into fashion anytime soon.
Wellington
English surname from place name
"people living in the hamlet in the cleared area near the temple"
Wellington is a tony-sounding English surname turned baby name by pregnancy guru Rosie Pope, who calls her son Wells for short. It's also the middle name of one of the Sweet Home sextuplets, Blu…
Colonel
Colonel is an unusual masculine name derived directly from the military rank, which ultimately comes from the Italian word "colonnello," meaning the commander of a column of soldiers. As a given…
Pinkney
Pinkney is a masculine name derived from an Old English surname that originally referred to someone from a place with many 'pink' flowers or from a hill covered in pinks (a type of flower). The name…
Verdie
Verdie is a feminine name with nature-inspired origins, derived from the French word 'vert' meaning 'green.' It emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when color names and nature themes…
Mart
Diminutive of Martin, Latin
"warlike"
Fresher and snappier than Marty and Martin, could Mart be successful as an independent baby name? It certainly has in the Netherlands, where it featured in the Top 300 in a recent year, outranking…
Auther
Auther is a masculine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Arthur, a classic name with ancient Celtic origins. While Arthur stems from the Celtic 'artos' (bear) combined with 'viros' (man)…
Commodore
Commodore is a masculine name derived from the military naval rank, which originated from the French 'commandeur' and Latin 'commendare' meaning 'to entrust' or 'to command.' As a given name, it…
Ottie
Ottie is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may function as a diminutive of names containing the Germanic element "ot" meaning wealth or fortune, such as Ottilie, Ottoline, or…
Chalmers
Chalmers is a distinguished masculine name of Scottish origin, derived from the Old Scottish word 'chaumer,' meaning 'chamber' or 'room.' Historically, it was an occupational surname for someone who…
Plummer
English occupational name
Plummer might be an occupational name for someone who works with pipes -- yes, like a plumber -- or with feathers, from the Olde English (from the French) plume. Or it could indicate someone who…