Names that Peaked in 1907
- William
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"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.
- John
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"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.
- Margaret
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"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."
- Mary
Origin:
Hebrew or EgyptianMeaning:
"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).
- George
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"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.
- Helen
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"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.
- Eve
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"life"Description:
Eve, the oldest name in the Book, is now coming back into style, having the virtues of simplicity and purity, yet with more strength and resonance than other single-syllable names like Ann. British actor Clive Owen chose Eve for his daughter, as did Jessica Capshaw.
- Cleo
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"glory"Description:
Cleo, one of the few girls' names to boast the cool-yet-lively o ending, is of course short for Cleopatra, the name of one of the most powerful women in history.
- Hoke
Description:
Hoke is a surname name with a Southern feel, thanks to Morgan Freeman's character in the Oscar-winning movie Driving Miss Daisy. Parents may have passed this name by because of the similarity to hokey and hokum, slang for exaggerated or contrived. But there's at least one distinguished bearer: Chicago journalist Hoke Norris, famous for his coverage of the Civil Rights movement.
- Delphin
Description:
Delphin is a masculine name derived from Greek origins, related to Delphi, the sacred site of the famous oracle in ancient Greece. The name is connected to the Greek word 'delphis' meaning dolphin, an animal considered sacred to Apollo. In French tradition, Saint Delphin was a 4th-century bishop of Bordeaux. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, Delphin has seen some usage in France and other European countries. The name carries classical connotations and evokes the intelligence and playfulness associated with dolphins. Its connection to the sacred site of Delphi also implies wisdom and prophetic insight. The feminine version, Delphine, is more widely used than the masculine form.
- Iola
Origin:
Greek or WelshMeaning:
"violet; beautiful lady"Description:
Isla is hot, Iona is cool – maybe it's time Iola got a second look? Last heard from on Carol Burnett's Mama's Family show, Iola feels like just the sort of uncommon, vowel-rich, vintage name that should be ripe for rediscovery.
- Odelia
Origin:
Hebrew, GermanMeaning:
"I will praise the Lord or wealth"Description:
Pretty Hebrew name that would create a strong but feminine impression, as well as a variant of the Germanic name Odilia or Ottilie.
- Virgil
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"staff bearer"Description:
The name of the greatest Roman poet and an early Irish saint who believed the earth was round, Virgil is heard most notably today as the name of designer Virgil Abloh of Off-White.
- Leroy
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"the king"Description:
Leroy's heyday was in the early twentieth century, when it was in the US Top 100 until 1949. As a result, it's now more frequently seen as a father or grandfather name. Nevertheless, it remains in the latter end of the US Top 1000, perhaps passed down from father to son, or similar enough to popular Levi that it still appeals.
- Theta
Origin:
Eighth letter of Greek AlphabetDescription:
Theta is the name of the eighth letter of the ancient Greek alphabet, which is also the symbol of death. As such, it has rarely been used as a baby name.
- Ilah
Description:
Ilah is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Arabic, it means "God" or "deity," derived from "Allah" without the definite article. In Hebrew, it's related to Eila, meaning "oak tree," symbolizing strength and endurance. Some also connect it to the Hindi name Ila, meaning "earth" or referring to the earth goddess in Hindu mythology. Ilah's brevity and open vowel sounds give it a gentle, flowing quality. While not among the most common names, it has seen modest usage across different cultures due to its spiritual connections, simplicity, and cross-cultural appeal. Its pronunciation (EE-lah) is intuitive in many languages, adding to its universal charm.
- Delmas
Description:
Delmas is a masculine name with French origins, functioning primarily as a surname before occasionally transitioning to first-name use. It derives from place names in southern France, particularly in regions where Occitan was spoken, and means 'from the farm' or 'of the farmstead,' combining 'del' (from the) and 'mas' (farmhouse or rural dwelling). The name carries a rustic yet dignified quality, evoking the French countryside and agricultural heritage. While relatively uncommon as a given name, Delmas has seen modest use particularly in French-speaking regions and the southern United States. Its distinctive sound and continental European flavor make it appealing for parents seeking something unique with authentic linguistic roots and a subtle sophistication.
- Margueritta
Description:
Margueritta is an elaborated feminine variant of Margaret, with Italian and Spanish influences. The name ultimately derives from the Greek 'margarites' meaning 'pearl.' This ornate variation adds romantic flair to the classic name through its extended ending and flowing rhythm. While less common than Margaret, Marguerite, or Margarita, Margueritta offers an especially decorative alternative that maintains the same elegant roots. The name evokes images of delicate flowers, as it resembles the Italian and Spanish words for daisy (margherita/margarita). Margueritta has an old-world European charm combined with a melodic quality that makes it both distinctive and sophisticated. It offers numerous nickname possibilities including Rita, Margo, or Etta.
- Burnice
Description:
Burnice is a feminine name that represents a spelling variation of Bernice, which derives from the Greek name Berenikē meaning 'bringing victory.' This alternative spelling emerged in the early 20th century, when Burnice saw modest usage in the United States. The name carries a vintage charm and dignified quality while remaining quite uncommon today. Historically, it peaked in popularity between 1890-1930 before gradually declining. Burnice offers the distinctive 'ice' ending sound shared with names like Clarice and Janice, but with a unique initial syllable. For parents seeking a genuinely vintage name with classical roots and an uncommon spelling, Burnice provides a distinctive option with authentic historical usage.
- Laurine
Description:
Laurine is a feminine name with Latin roots, derived from 'laurus' meaning 'laurel tree' or 'sweet bay tree,' which was historically a symbol of victory and honor in ancient Rome. As a diminutive form of Laura, Laurine emerged primarily in French-speaking regions before spreading to other European countries and North America. The name enjoyed modest popularity in the early 20th century, particularly in the 1910s and 1920s in the United States, but has since become quite rare. Laurine carries connotations of achievement, elegance, and classical beauty, while maintaining a delicate, vintage charm that distinguishes it from more common Laura derivatives.
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