Names that Peaked in 1900
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About this list
The names
William
German
"resolute protection"
William is one of the most enduring of classic names for boys. It's also among the most popular boys' names, as American parents see it as being ideally conservative yet contemporary, and hands-down…
John
Hebrew
"God is gracious"
John reigned as the most popular of all boys' Christian names for 400 years, from the time the first Crusaders carried it back to Britain until the 1950s. Then American baby namers finally seemed to…
Lillian
English from Latin
"lily; pledged to God"
Lillian has ranked among the US Top 100 for the past 20 years, making it Lily's less popular but more grown-up cousin. A Top 10 name at the turn of the last century, the heyday of Lillian Gish and…
Mary
Hebrew or Egyptian
"drop of the sea; bitter; beloved; love"
Mary is the English form of Maria, which ultimately was derived from the Hebrew name Maryam/Mariam. The original meaning of Maryam is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew…
George
Greek
"farmer"
Iconoclasts though we may be, we like Fred, we like Frank, and we like George, which was among the Top 10 from 1830 to 1950, when the number of little Georges started to decline. Solid, strong, royal…
Helen
Greek
"torch; shining light"
Helen is a name that has connoted beauty since ancient times – Helen of Troy was the the mythological "face that launched a thousand ships," over whom the ten-year Trojan War was fought. The name…
Mack
Scottish or Irish
"son of"
Mack, when "formalized" with the final k, makes an engagingly amiable choice, a far more uncommon alternative to the ubiquitous Max and Jack, with a nice, every-guy feel. Mack entered the popularity…
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.
Lee
English
"pasture, meadow"
A name that has a bit of a shouldn't-I-be-a-middle-name sound, though still in use as a first for both genders. Lee might be a good choice if you want something that sounds at once traditional yet…
Pearl
Latin gem name
"pearl"
Pearl, like Ruby, has begun to be polished up for a new generation of fashionable children after a century of jewelry box storage. The birthstone for the month of June, Pearl could also make a…
Aggie
English, diminutive of Agatha and Agnes
Mauve-tinted nickname with vintage charm that could just follow in the footsteps of ABBIE. More prominent now as the nickname for the Texas A&M sports teams.
Collis
Collis is a unique masculine name with roots in Greek and Old English origins. Derived from the Greek 'kolonis' meaning 'hill' or 'mound,' it may also relate to the Old English term 'col' for 'coal.'…
Goebel
Goebel is a masculine name of Germanic origin, primarily found as a surname before occasionally transitioning to first-name usage. Derived from Middle High German 'goebel,' meaning 'godly' or…
Furman
Variation of Fermin, Basque, Spanish
"strong"
Furman is a surname-y spin on the Basque saint's name Fermin, the patron saint of Pamplona, where Hemingway famously ran with the bulls.
Rossie
Rossie is a masculine name that can function as a diminutive of Ross or as a standalone name. It has Scottish and Gaelic origins, with Ross meaning 'headland' or 'promontory' in Gaelic, often…
Tallie
Tallie is a diminutive form that can derive from several longer names including Talbot, Taliesin, Tallia, or Natalia. As a masculine name, it's most often shortened from Talbot, an Old English…
Mannie
Mannie is a masculine name that typically functions as a diminutive or nickname for Emmanuel, Manuel, or Immanuel, all deriving from Hebrew origins meaning 'God is with us.' However, Mannie has also…
Ether
Ether is an uncommon feminine name derived from scientific and philosophical concepts rather than traditional naming conventions. The word 'ether' historically referred to the fifth element in…
Collins
Surname derived from Nicholas or Colin, Greek or Irish and Scottish
"people of victory or pup"
Though Collins makes the Top 300 for girls, it sounds strong and handsome for boys too, kind of like the newly-stylish Brooks. The final s updates it from the 80s-ish Colin or the Twilightish Cullen.…
Barnie
Barnie is a masculine name typically considered a diminutive or variant spelling of Bernard, which derives from Germanic elements meaning 'brave as a bear.' The name can also be a variant of…
