Names that Peaked in 1928
Across 2 pages
of 2
Jean
French variation of John
"God is gracious"
One of the most enduring French names, this form of John has been borne by philosophers (Rousseau and Sartre), artists (Millet, Arp) and fashion designers (Gaultier) alike. Often used in a double…
Merwin
Merwin is a masculine name of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English elements 'mære' meaning 'famous' and 'wine' meaning 'friend,' creating the meaning 'famous friend' or 'renowned friend.'…
Norwood
English
"woods in the north"
Another stiff northerly choice.
Rolland
Rolland is a masculine name with Germanic origins, derived from the Old Germanic elements 'hrod' meaning 'fame' and 'land' meaning 'land' or 'territory.' It is a variant spelling of Roland, a name…
Margarito
Margarito is a masculine name of Spanish origin, derived from the Latin 'Margaritus,' which means 'pearl.' It's the masculine form of Margarita, which itself comes from the Greek word 'margarites.'…
Winford
Winford is a masculine English name with Anglo-Saxon origins, combining elements meaning 'pleasant' or 'friend' (win) and 'ford' or 'river crossing.' Originally a surname denoting someone who lived…
Dorman
Dorman is a masculine name of English origin that began as a surname before occasionally being adopted as a first name. The surname Dorman likely derived from the Old English 'deor' (animal, beast)…
Amparo
Spanish and Portuguese
"refuge, shelter"
Amparo is a medieval name related to the Virgin Mary most closely associated with the city of Valencia, in Spain. Although it does not appear at all on the most recent US name roster, meaning it was…
Willodean
American
"resolute protection + valley; resolute protection + high ranking priest; willow valley"
The Social Security Lists show this name to have been used throughout the 1920s and 30s especially in Southern states, where it likely appealed alongside Clarabel and Marigold. It feels part…
Hoover
German
"owner of a patch of farmland"
A huve is 40 acres of land, so the occupational name Hoover refers to the farmer who owned and worked it. Hoover also relates to the rock band, the vacuum cleaner, the dam, and former FBI head J.…
Audry
Audry is a feminine name that represents a variation of the more commonly spelled Audrey. Derived from the Anglo-Saxon name Æðelþryð (Etheldreda), it ultimately means 'noble strength.' Saint Audrey…
Fidencio
Fidencio is a masculine name with Latin origins, derived from the Roman name Fidentius, which means 'confident' or 'full of faith.' Most commonly found in Hispanic cultures, particularly in Mexico,…
Betty
Diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
Combine the popularity of Betty White and Mad Men 's glamorous Betty Draper Francis, with the residual sweetness of Ugly Betty 's Betty Suarez, and the result is an impending return of the name. It's…
Charline
Charline is a feminine name with French origins, functioning as a diminutive form of Charlotte or a feminine version of Charles. Both root names derive from the Germanic name Karl, meaning 'free man'…
Christeen
Christeen is a feminine name that represents a spelling variation of Christine, ultimately derived from the Latin 'Christianus' meaning 'a Christian' or 'follower of Christ.' This particular spelling…
Ernestine
Femeninization of Ernest, English from German
"serious, resolute"
One time joke name, à la Lily Tomlin's bossy telephone operator, Ernestine is ready for a possible reevaluation, like cousins Josephine and Clementine.
Felicitas
Latin
"good luck, fortune"
In Roman mythology. Felicitas was the deity of good luck.
Jean
English and Scottish, from French variation of Johanna
"God is gracious"
Originally a feminine of John, Jean was popular in Scotland long before it found favor elsewhere, and had its most shining moment here in the era of Jean Harlow (born Harlean), ultimate symbol of…