Names that Peaked in 1965
Across 3 pages
of 3
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…
Tony
Diminutive of Anthony
"priceless one"
Tony, as in classy. Or To-nyyy, as yelled out a tenement window.
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…
Carla
Feminization of Carl, German, Carlo, Italian, and Carlos, Spanish
"free man"
While Charlotte and Caroline are considered stylish and classic members of the Charles family, this Germanic form peaked in the US at Number 76 in 1965. It fell out of favor in the 2010s, but recent…
Kris
English diminutive of Kristen or Kristina, Scandinavian from Greek
"a Christian"
Kris was once the ultimate cool cheerleader name, but now she's more likely to be a matriarch ala Kris Jenner. Only five baby girls were named Kris in the US last year, though there are still several…
Delisa
Delisa is a feminine name with Romance language origins, possibly derived from 'delicia' meaning 'delight' or 'pleasure' in Latin. It can be considered a variation of names like Delilah or a…
Caryn
Spelling variation of Karen, Danish variation of Katherine
"pure"
Modernized spelling not enough to revive Karen.
Lorinda
English elaboration of Lora
Echoes of two dated names: Lori and Linda.
Moira
Irish, variation of Mary
"bitter; beloved; drop of the sea"
Well-established Irish and Scottish name that has never really caught on across the pond. Remembered by an older generation as the beautiful red-haired ballerina in the film The Red Shoes , Moira…
Rhonda
Welsh
"noisy one"
"Help Me, Rhonda. sang the Beach Boys -- help me convince my parents not to give me this sixties name.
Sarita
Italian and Spanish diminutive of Sara, Hebrew
"princess"
Sarita is a delicately pretty name all but unknown in the US, where it can make an original honor name for an ancestral Sara....or Rita. Rita is a midcentury favorite tiptoeing back into style among…
Sheila
Irish variation of Cecilia
"blind"
Sheila peaked in popularity from the 1930s to the 1960s (she reached Number 49 in 1965), along with Maureen and Colleen; parents today would probably go back to the original Cecilia or forward to…
Vonda
Vonda is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from African languages, or possibly be a variant of the Germanic name Wanda, meaning "wanderer." The name gained modest…
Darryl
Darryl is a masculine name with ancient Celtic origins, derived from the Irish name 'Dáire' or 'Daire,' meaning 'fruitful' or 'fertile.' It entered common usage in English-speaking countries as both…
Kip
American diminution of Christopher, Greek and Latin
"bearer of Christ"
Kip Thorne, nobel laureate and long-time colleague of Stephen Hawking, is just one of several Kips who don't have a longer name. But Kip is often short for Christopher.
Trudi
Trudi is a feminine name that originated as a German diminutive of Gertrude, derived from Germanic elements meaning "spear" and "strength." This short form became popular in its own right,…
Darren
Irish
"little great one"
Darren and wife Sharon shop for fifties memorabilia on eBay. The Connecticut place-name Darien might offer an update.
Daron
Daron is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variation of Darin or Darren, derived from the Irish surname Ó Dáire, meaning 'descendant of Dáire' (an ancient Irish name…
Darrin
Darrin is a masculine name that originated as a variant of Darren, which itself derived from the Irish surname Ó Darragh, meaning "descendant of Daire" (from an Irish personal name meaning "oak tree"…
Karen
Danish variation of Katherine, Japanese
"pure; lotus flower"
Karen, a once sweet Danish import, was so popular during the baby boom (Karen was Number 3 in 1960) that it's become a mem in recent years, representing a hostile white woman—one who usually wants to…