Names that Peaked in 1909
Across 2 pages
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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…
Margaret
Greek
"pearl"
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
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…
Mearl
Mearl is a masculine name with roots as a variant of Merle or Merrill. Originating from Old French, the name is derived from 'merle' meaning 'blackbird.' It may also have connections to the Latin…
Eathel
Eathel is an uncommon feminine name with unclear origins, possibly a variant spelling of Ethel, which comes from Old English "æðel" meaning "noble" or "of noble birth." The added 'a' creates a…
Tommie
Short form of Thomas, Aramaic
"twin"
Tommie is a masculine name traditionally used as a diminutive form of Thomas, which derives from the Aramaic name Te'oma, meaning '"twin"' Popular throughout the 20th century, particularly in the…
Buster
Modern nickname
An old-fashioned nickname in the Bud/Buzz/Biff mold; this one's kind of belligerent. Michelle Hicks and Jonny Lee Miller moved outside the box when they used it for their son--given the safer middle…
Vlasta
Czech; Slovak; Serbian; Croatian
"homeland, power"
A distinct-sounding Slavic name, most common in Czechia.
Clifford
English
"lives near the ford by the cliff"
Clifford is beginning to overcome a slightly stodgy intellectual image and showing signs of possible revival. Kids might or might not like the association with the big red dog. In England, the…
Leonor
Spanish and Portuguese variation of Eleanor, from English, meaning unknown
This streamlined variation of Eleanor is common in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Portugal itself, where it has ranked among the Top 3 baby girl names for over a decade. In…
Azalee
Azalee is a flowering variation of Azalea, the botanical name for colorful flowering shrubs native to several continents. The name derives from Greek 'azaleos' meaning 'dry,' ironically referring to…
Othel
Othel is a masculine name with Germanic origins, possibly derived from ancient Germanic elements meaning 'ancestral inheritance' or 'homeland.' It bears similarities to names like Othello and Ethel,…
Elmo
Italian from German
"protector"
Elmo, like fellow Sesame Street characters Kermit and Grover, has a hard time being taken seriously. (It isn't easy being red either.) But Elmo also calls to mind the image of St. Elmo's fire--the…
Hoyt
English
"long stick"
Distinctive though somewhat abrupt, most prominently borne by country singer Hoyt Axton.
Odessa
Russian form of Odesa, Ukrainian place-name
"voyage"
Odessa, (transcribed as Odesa in Ukrainian) is a Ukrainian port city and was given its name by Catherine the Great, who was inspired by Homer's Odyssey . It would make an original and intriguing…
Alfonzo
Alfonzo is a masculine name representing an alternate spelling of Alfonso, which derives from Germanic origins combining the elements 'adal' (noble) and 'funs' (ready), essentially meaning 'noble and…
Gladyce
Gladyce is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Gladys, which derives from the Welsh name Gwladys, possibly meaning "princess" or "ruler." This particular spelling with a "c" instead…
