Names that Peaked in 1905

  1. William
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"
    • Description:

      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.
  2. Margaret
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "pearl"
    • Description:

      Margaret is derived from the French Marguerite, which in turn came from Margarita, the Latin form of the Greek Margarites. Margarites was based on the Old Persian word margārīta, meaning "pearl."
  3. John
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      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.
  4. Odette
    • Origin:

      French, from German
    • Meaning:

      "wealthy"
    • Description:

      Odette is the good swan in Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake, a role for which Natalie Portman won an Oscar ---and it would make a particularly soigne, sophisticated yet upbeat choice, unlike some of the more dated other 'ette'-ending names.
  5. George
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "farmer"
    • Description:

      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.
  6. Leona
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "lioness"
    • Description:

      A strong, grounded choice that still has plenty of energy and charm, Leona is the feminine form of Leon, itself derived from the Greek word for "lion". Associated with courage, leadership, and royalty — and the star sign of July and August — Leona is popular in Croatia and Sweden, but familiar across the US, the UK, and continental Europe.
  7. Mary
    • Origin:

      Hebrew or Egyptian
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea; bitter; beloved; love"
    • Description:

      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).
  8. Helen
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "torch; shining light"
    • Description:

      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.
  9. Goldie
    • Origin:

      Anglicized form of Yiddish Golde or Golda
    • Meaning:

      "gold"
    • Description:

      Goldie is a shimmering new addition to the nickname name lineup, and became one of the fastest rising girl names in 2023. After peaking at Number 114 in 1904-1905, Goldie slid off the list completely in 1958. She re-entered the US Top 1000 again in 2021.
  10. Clarence
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "bright"
    • Description:

      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.
  11. Floyd
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "gray-haired"
    • Description:

      Floyd was a Top 100 name from the 1880s to the 1940s that somehow developed an almost comical hayseed persona along with a touch of retro jazz cool; it's beginning to appeal to parents with a strong taste for the quirky.
  12. Vela
    • Origin:

      Sanskrit, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "shore, sail"
    • Description:

      Vela is one of those rare names that is at once simple, straightforward, authentic, and unusual, at least in the Western World. Besides being an Indian girls' name, Vela is a Southern sky constellation whose name is Latin for sail – originally part of the Argo Navis constellation.
  13. Ester
    • Origin:

      Variation of Esther, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "star"
    • Description:

      This simplified spelling is a bit too polyester, though this is also the authentic Slavic version of an Old Testament name that's being rediscovered.
  14. Audie
    • Description:

      Audie is a feminine name with diverse origins, functioning as both a diminutive of Audrey and a name in its own right. Derived from Anglo-Saxon roots, it carries meanings associated with 'noble strength' or 'noble counselor.' The name gained some recognition in America through World War II hero Audie Murphy, though it's traditionally more common for females. With its short, sweet sound and vintage charm, Audie fits well with the trend toward reviving early 20th century names. It provides a less common alternative to popular 'Au-' names like Audrey and Autumn. While never reaching high popularity rankings, Audie has maintained continuous usage throughout the decades. Its simplicity and gentle sound make it appealing to parents seeking a name that's both distinctive and accessible.

  15. Roosevelt
    • Origin:

      Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "rose field"
    • Description:

      Presidential surname adopted as a first by numbers of midcentury African-American parents.
  16. Euna
    • Origin:

      Cherokee
    • Meaning:

      "waterfall"
  17. Leola
    • Description:

      Leola is a feminine name of Latin and German origins. It can be a variant of Leola, meaning 'lioness,' derived from 'leo' (lion), or an elaboration of Leah or Lee. It was most popular in the United States during the early 20th century, peaking between 1890-1920 when it ranked in the top 300 names. The name conveys strength and grace, resonating with the powerful imagery of a lioness. Though less common today, Leola maintains a classic, vintage charm that appeals to parents seeking something both traditional and distinctive. Its soft sound contrasts with its strong meaning, creating a name with balance and character.

  18. Hansel
    • Origin:

      German diminutive of Hans
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Those "Where's Gretel?" jokes will get old pretty fast.
  19. Conley
    • Origin:

      Anglicization of Conleth, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "chaste fire; constant fire"
    • Description:

      Conley has a contemporary surname feel but is actually vintage in its usage. It was used as a masculine given name through the 1940s and peaked in 1905 at Number 709. Ready for revival? Definitely.
  20. Hilton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "hill settlement"
    • Description:

      Do you really want to name your baby after a hotel? Or a famous-for-being-famous starlet?

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