Names that Peaked in 1903

Leo is a strong-yet-friendly name that was common among the Romans, used for fourteen popes, and is now at its highest point ever in the US thanks in part to Leonardo "Leo" DiCaprio.

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 the most popular baby name beginning with W of all time.

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 and saintly, yet friendly and unpretentious, we think that George is in prime position for a comeback, especially since it was chosen by Britain's royal couple.

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 tire of this straight-arrow, almost anonymous John Doe of names, replacing it with fancier forms like Jonathan and the imported Sean and Ian.

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 roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

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.

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.

Vida is a multicultural gem, familiar in a number of languages by not overly popular. It featured in the US Top 1000 in the first half of the 20th century, and in recent years, it has seen renewed interest.

Distinctive yet familiar, Olin is both a Scandinavian name and an English surname. Currently a rare choice, yet reminiscent of popular options, like Oliver, Orion, and Colin.

In the Bible, Beulah is a place, not a person, applied to the land of Israel by the prophet Isaiah. The land of Beulah has sometimes been considered a reference to heaven. Beulah began to be used as a given name in England at the time of the Reformation and was used by the seventeenth century Puritans.

A simple name that's rising fast in the US, likely inspired by the popularity of Isla and Ayla. This streamlined form might appeal to those who like Ana, Ivy, and Ada, and it brings a multicultural element to the name.

Hortense is actually the French feminine form of Hortensia, the name of a strong, politically active early Roman woman. Hortense began to be used in the English-speaking world in the nineteenth century. Napoleon had a stepdaughter named Hortense, it was the name of one of the main characters in the film Secrets and Lies and is also associated with novelist Hortense Calisher. As unappealing as it might be to most American parents, Hortense is now Number 155 in France (as of 2021).

The name of three hundred saints, a mustard, and your own baby boy. Coleman was off the US Top 1000 list for much of the 1960s and 1970s, but it was a mainstay before and has been for most years since. It could be an interesting way to honor a Colin or Cole.

Depending on your cultural references, you may think of Phantom of the Opera author Gaston Leroux, or the macho villain of Beauty and the Beast. While he's hardly a role model (unless you too use antlers in all of your decorating), his name was likely chosen because it's a classic in France. It's been used there since the middle ages, partly in honor of the Frankish bishop St Gaston. It went out of style in France mid-century, but now it's having a revival, entering the Top 300 in 2017.

Derived from the Ancient Roman family name, Augustinus, itself a form of Augustus, this elaborate form is less familiar than August and Augusta, but it has the flair of Georgiana and Evangelina. Briefly popular in the US, France and Czechia a century ago, Augustina blends clunky and frilliness.

This euphonious and lovely name is an internationally appealing choice, that, like Gabriela and Isabela before it, is beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream. Also spelled Raffaella (Italian), Raffaela (German), or Raphaela (Hebrew), it was given to around 50 girls in the US in 2023.

Bennie is a warm, friendly masculine name that originated as a diminutive of Benjamin or Benedict, though it has established itself as an independent given name. Benjamin derives from Hebrew, meaning 'son of the right hand' or 'son of the south,' while Benedict comes from Latin meaning 'blessed.' Bennie carries a casual, approachable quality with nostalgic charm, popular in the early to mid-20th century particularly in Southern United States. The name has associations with folk and country music through figures like Bennie Moten and Bennie Wallace. While less common today as a formal given name, it maintains popularity as a nickname and carries connotations of reliability, unpretentiousness, and down-to-earth goodness. The spelling variant 'Bennie' (versus 'Benny') adds a slight distinction while maintaining the name's accessible nature.

Ozzy has been on the rise in recent years and currently sits in the Top 1000 in the UK and the US. The Ozzie spelling has yet to catch up, but has nevertheless gained more attention thanks to its popular counterpart. Given to 135 boys and to 50 girls in 2023, for every one Ozzie there are three Ozzys.

Loney is an uncommon given name that originated as an English surname, derived from Old French 'l'aulnai,' meaning 'alder grove' or from the Old English 'lane-eg,' referring to a 'long island.' As a first name, Loney has never achieved widespread popularity but appears occasionally in historical records, particularly in the American South and rural communities. Despite its phonetic similarity to 'lonely,' the name has separate etymological roots. Loney has a distinctive sound that combines traditional surname qualities with a friendly, approachable ending. The name may appeal to families looking to honor surname traditions or seeking an uncommon masculine name with historical roots that remains recognizable and relatively easy to pronounce.

Maye is a feminine name with multiple potential origins, primarily derived from the Old French word 'mai' referring to the month of May, symbolizing springtime, renewal, and growth. Alternatively, it may come from the Irish Gaelic 'Mágh' meaning 'plain' or serve as a variant of Mae or May. The name carries a vintage charm that has experienced modest revivals in contemporary naming trends. Notably, the name gained some recognition through Maye Musk, model and mother of entrepreneur Elon Musk. With its short, sweet sound and positive seasonal associations, Maye offers simplicity with substance. Its single-syllable clarity combined with the distinctive 'ye' ending creates a name that balances classic appeal with a touch of uniqueness.