Names that Peaked in 1930
Across 2 pages
of 2
Gilbert
German
"shining pledge"
Considered ultra debonair in the silent-movie era, Gilbert then went through a nerdy phase, a la Gilbert Gottfried. Now though, like Albert and Alfred and Walter and Frank, it could be in for a style…
Carmelita
Diminutive of Carmel, Hebrew
"garden"
Carmelita is an obscure short form of an obscure name that may rise to new prominence during the 2012 Olympics, via runner Carmelita Jeter aka "The World's Fastest Woman." Carmelita has a…
Billy
Billy is an unexpectedly feminine usage of what is traditionally a masculine nickname for William. When used for girls, Billy typically represents a diminutive of feminine names like Wilhelmina,…
Merlyn
Merlyn is a masculine name that serves as a variant spelling of Merlin, the legendary wizard from Arthurian tales. Its origins trace to Welsh mythology, where the figure was called Myrddin, possibly…
Beverlee
Beverlee is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Beverly. Originally an Old English surname derived from 'beofor' (beaver) and 'leah' (clearing or meadow), meaning 'beaver stream' or…
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…
Werner
German
"protecting army"
Formal name lacking any sparkle or sheen.
Rosendo
Spanish
"fame + time"
The name of a Galician saint, this is a romantic Rose name that feels handsome and not at all feminine.
Ardell
Ardell is a gender-neutral name that has historically been more common for males in the United States. It likely developed as a variant of Ardel or Ardal, which have roots in Gaelic meaning 'high…
Billye
Billye is an uncommon feminine name that originated as a creative spelling variant of Billie, which itself is a feminine form of Bill or William. The name William comes from Germanic origins meaning…
Dorla
Dorla is a feminine name with potential Germanic or Slavic origins. It may have developed as a variation of Dora (derived from Greek meaning 'gift') or as a diminutive form of names containing the…
Ardeth
Hebrew
"flowering field"
A form of Ardath (and Ardith), a Biblical place name that appears in some versions of the Old Testament. It sounds similar to the stylish Arden and vintage Edith, and has an appearing floral meaning.
Derl
Derl is an uncommon masculine name with American roots, likely emerging as a shortened form of names like Darrell or as a variant of Darl. This short, single-syllable name gained modest usage in the…
Charlsie
Charlsie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive or nickname form of Charlotte or Charles. With its '-ie' ending, it has a distinctively affectionate, familiar quality typical of American…