Names that Peaked in 1964
Across 2 pages
of 2
The names
Michael
Hebrew
"who is like God?"
Michael was the Number 1 American boys' name for almost half a century. While Michael has moved out of the Top 10 baby boy names , it's still widely used. How has Michael racked up this phenomenal…
Patrick
Latin
"noble, patrician"
Patrick, long tied to a hyper-Irish image, is enjoying something of a renaissance as a stylish classic, as it has long been considered in England. Along with such choices as Charles and George,…
Mark
Latin
"warlike"
Mark has the rare appeal of a strong, sleek name with a minimalist modern feel and ancient roots. The name Mark is taken from the Roman god of war Mars, also the namesake of the planet. After…
Jacqueline
French, feminine diminutive of Jacques
"supplanter"
Jacqueline originated as a feminine form of Jacques, the French variation of James, and therefore Jacob. Jacob was ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Ya’aqov, and gets its meaning, "supplanter"…
Andy
Diminutive of Andrew, Greek
"strong and manly"
Although we prefer Drew to the old Raggedy Andy, Andy has overtaken Drew as a name in its own right. About twice as many baby boys are named Andy, just Andy -- though about eight times as many…
Lisa
English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Italian
"pledged to God"
Elvis naming his daughter Lisa Marie and Nat King Cole's hit song "Mona Lisa" conspired to catapult one of Elizabeth's many offshoots to a high of #4 in 1970. It has largely fallen from favor in the…
Valarie
Valarie is a feminine name of Latin and French origin, a variant of Valerie, ultimately derived from the Roman family name Valerius, meaning 'strong' or 'brave.' This spelling variation with an 'a'…
Zina
Russian, Hungarian, Arabic, African, Nsenga
"related to Zeus; rose; adornment, ornament; spirt name"
A truly international name with an arty feel, Zina has many origins. It is used as a short form of Zinaida, Rozina, and Zenobia in Russia, Hungary, and Poland and as an alternative form of Xena,…
Kurt
German, diminutive of Kurtis
"courteous, polite"
A name that defines itself, a bit more curt in the harder K version.
Kennedy
Irish
"misshapen head"
This attractive surname name still projects that Kennedy family charisma. While it didn't come into widespread use until long after the deaths of martyred heroes President John F. or Senator Robert…
Lyndon
English
"linden tree hill"
An English surname-turned-first-name whose most famous bearer is former US president Lyndon B. Johnson. His appointment in 1963 caused a huge spike in use for his unusual name the following year,…
Pernell
Pernell is a masculine name with French origins, believed to be a variant of Purnell or a diminutive form of Peter (Pierre in French). The name may ultimately derive from the Latin 'Petronellus,' a…
Regan
Irish
"little king"
A spelling variant of presidential surname Regan that briefly entered the Top 1000 for boys in the 1960s, but hasn't rejoined the list since. Shakespeare also used the name for a daughter of King…
Richie
Short form of Richard, English, German
"dominant ruler"
Richie was once a popular enough nickname for Richard that it made the Top 1000 all by itself, blending in with Ronnie, Reggie, Robbie, and Randy. In the US, it last appeared in the charts back in…
Ritchie
Ritchie is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive of Richard, a Germanic name combining elements meaning 'powerful' and 'ruler' (literally 'strong king' or 'brave ruler'). The nickname…
Robby
Diminutive of Robert, English
"bright fame"
This classic Robert nickname is starting to sound sweet again, along with ultra-retro Bobby.
Terence
Latin clan name
"soft; thresher"
A name that seems to hail from the old Irish neighborhoods of Boston and New York, Terence actually dates back a lot further, to the time of a famous second-century poet, who started life as a North…
Todd
English
"fox"
A 1970s beach boy surfing buddy of Scott, Brad, and Chad, Todd is given to relatively few babies these days.
Jacquline
Jacquline is a feminine name that represents a spelling variation of Jacqueline, the French feminine form of Jacques (the French equivalent of James). The name ultimately derives from Hebrew origins…
Kieth
Kieth is a masculine name representing an alternative spelling of Keith, which derives from an ancient Celtic surname and place name. The name originated from a Scottish clan name meaning 'wood' or…