Names that Peaked in 1964

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…

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…

Karl

German and Scandinavian variation of Charles

Manly almost to the point of macho.

Todd

English

"fox"

A 1970s beach boy surfing buddy of Scott, Brad, and Chad, Todd is given to relatively few babies these days.

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…

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…

Kipp

English

"pointed hill"

Full name that sounds more like a short form; more likely to be spelled Kip.

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,…

Kurt

German, diminutive of Kurtis

"courteous, polite"

A name that defines itself, a bit more curt in the harder K version.

Fitzgerald

Irish and Scottish

"son of Gerald"

Made famous by F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Fitzgerald Kennedy; still works best as a middle name.

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…