Names that Peaked in 1931
Across 2 pages
of 2
Gaylord
French
"brisk, high-spirited"
Best left on the old southern plantation, sipping his mint julep.
Glen
Scottish
"a narrow valley"
Former cool-boy name now in middle-aged limbo, but with a nice naturey meaning to endear it to modern parents.
Gregorio
Italian variation of Gregory
"vigilant, a watchman"
More dramatic, worldly, and energetic spin on Gregory.
Irwin
English
"boar friend"
Son of Irving.
Lowell
French
"young wolf"
Lowell is an upstanding and somewhat conservative name that calls to mind the genteel patrician families of nineteenth century New England, such as the one poet Robert Lowell was born into. Two other…
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…
Myron
Greek
"fragrant, an aromatic shrub, myrrh"
One of many M names -- including Murray, Melvin, Morton, Milton, and Marvin -- given to first-generation Jewish boys to replace the old-fashioned Moses. Now we'd pick Moses over any of them. Myron…
Norman
English
"northerner, Norseman"
Norman, perhaps because it sounds so much like the word 'normal', conjures up the image of a normal-looking guy with a normal kind of job-- not necessarily an image many modern parents seek for their…
Stanford
English
"stony ford"
Even if you're a loyal alumnus, consider something less ultraupright, like Yale or Cal.
Lavern
Lavern is a gender-neutral name that has been used predominantly for males in the United States, though it can also be found as a feminine name. It likely derives from French elements, possibly from…
Armida
Italian, literary name
Torquano Tasso likely invented this name for the magical enchantress who beguiles the crusaders in his celebrated poem Jerusalem Delivered. Armida is also the eponymous heroines of operas by Handel…
Joretta
Joretta is a feminine name that likely represents an elaboration of the name Jora or a feminine form of George. The name George derives from Greek 'georgos' meaning 'farmer' or 'earth-worker.'…
Ardis
Scottish, Irish
"fervent"
The name of a character in the once scandalous novel Valley of the Dolls now sounds a little more dated than the similar Arden.
Arlis
English
"nobleman of ice"
Arlis is a masculine name with American folk roots, possibly originating as a variant of the name Arliss. It might be derived from the Old English elements 'earle' meaning 'nobleman' and 'issa'…
Belia
Spanish variation of Bella
Pretty and unusual translation of Bella.
Bernadine
German
"brave as a bear"
As dated as the old Pat Boone song.
Bernardine
German
"brave as a bear"
Bernardine is really driving home its Bernard connection, for better or worse. Bernadine is the usual form of this name. Saint Bernardine of Siena was, surprise!, a man, also called Bernardino, a…
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…
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.
Geraldine
German and French, feminine variation of Gerald
"ruler with the spear"
Though twin brother Gerald is still in baby name limbo, Geraldine is in line to follow the path of Josephine to imminent revival—even though Gerry is not as spunky a nickname as Josie. Geraldine was…