Names that Peaked in 1965
Across 3 pages
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About this list
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…
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…
Tony
Diminutive of Anthony
"priceless one"
Tony, as in classy. Or To-nyyy, as yelled out a tenement window.
Caryn
Spelling variation of Karen, Danish variation of Katherine
"pure"
Modernized spelling not enough to revive Karen.
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…
Kipp
English
"pointed hill"
Full name that sounds more like a short form; more likely to be spelled Kip.
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.
Kecia
Kecia is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Kisha or Keisha, which developed in the United States during the 20th century and gained popularity…
Daryn
Daryn is a modern masculine name with multiple origins. It can be considered a variant of Darren or Darin, which derive from the Irish surname Ó Dáiríne, meaning 'descendant of Dáiríne.' Another…
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,…
Lorinda
English elaboration of Lora
Echoes of two dated names: Lori and Linda.
Kimberlie
Kimberlie is a feminine name representing a variant spelling of Kimberly, which originated as an English place name and surname derived from Anglo-Saxon elements meaning 'royal fortress meadow' or…
Dawne
Dawne is a feminine name representing a variation of Dawn with an added 'e' for distinctive flair. Derived from the Old English word 'dagian,' meaning 'to become day,' it evokes imagery of sunrise,…
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…
Daren
Daren is a masculine name with multiple origins, primarily considered a variant of Darren, which derives from the Irish surname Ó Dairrín, meaning 'descendant of Darragh' (oak tree). This…
Deann
Deann is a feminine name that emerged as a variant of Diana, which derives from the Indo-European root meaning 'divine' or 'heavenly.' It gained popularity in the United States during the mid-20th…
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…
Darin
Variation of Darren
Darin was so popular that it nearly cracked the Top 100 in the mid-1960s, but has now dropped from sight. The original Darren is still hanging on.
Lavonda
Lavonda is a feminine name that gained modest popularity in the United States primarily during the mid-20th century. Likely a modern creation combining elements of names like Lavonne and Rhonda, it…
Rod
English, diminutive of Roderick and Rodney
Macho-er than thou.
