Names that Peaked in 1966
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…
Vincent
Latin
"conquering"
Vincent is a name with a complex image. After being quietly used for centuries, it is suddenly seeming stylish, along wih other V names. Even the nickname Vince has been given a reprieve via actor…
Timothy
Greek
"honoring God"
A second-tier classic, the New Testament Timothy moves in and out of fashion more than John and James. But though it peaked in the 1960s, many modern parents still appreciate its familiarity and…
Kimberly
English surname and place name
"Cyneburga's meadow"
Kimberly's heyday was in the 1960s and 70s, when it ranked among the Top 10. While it hasn't been stylish for decades, it's evidenced more staying power than some former hot girl names, remaining…
Colette
French, short form of Nicole, feminine variation of Nicholas, Greek
"people of victory"
Like the French author with whom the name is most closely associated, Colette is a chic and charming name, sharp, stylish, and feminine but without the frills of Nicolette. After disappearing from…
Wade
English
"at the river crossing"
Wade has never been outside the US Top 1000 for boys - there's a reason for that. It has a clean spelling, fresh sound and is neither too trendy (unlike Kade or Cade) or too old-school (like Richard…
Jeffrey
Spelling variation of Geoffrey
"pledge of peace"
The mostly Americanized version of Geoffrey was a trendy mid-century hit, with nickname Jeff the epitome of cool. Jeffrey entered the pop list in 1934 and was a Top 20 name from the mid-fifties to…
Sonji
Sonji is a feminine name with multiple cultural associations. In some contexts, it may be a variation of Sonja, which derives from the Russian diminutive of Sophia, meaning 'wisdom.' In others, it…
Chris
English nickname for Christian, Christopher
"one who carries Christ"
Chris is a long-running nickname used almost equally for boys and girls. While past its prime, Chris stands out as sounding completely appropriate for both sexes, perhaps because of its widespread…
Tatia
Tatia is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Georgian culture, it's a diminutive of Tatiana, while it also has roots in Native American, Greek, and Latin traditions. The name possibly…
Barron
English, variation of Baron
"rank of nobility"
Names of royal ranks -- King, Prince, and yes, Baron -- have become more widely used in recent years, though they're outlawed in several countries. This spelling, the same as that of the financial…
Keith
Scottish
"wood"
Strong but gentle, Keith is one of the Scottish surnames that, along with Douglas, Craig and Bruce, were considered the epitome of cool in the 1960s and early 1970s, when it was a Top 40 choice.…
Tracy
French
"of Thracia"
Almost always a girl's name now.
Lorne
Variation of Lawrence
Alive thanks to Ponderosa papa Greene and SNL creator Michaels, both from Canada, where the name is much more popular.
Dawna
Dawna is a feminine name of English origin, representing a feminine variant of the name Dawn. Derived from the Old English word for the first appearance of light in the morning, Dawna carries the…
Angelia
Greek
"angel"
Angelia, also called Angelos, was a daughter of Zeus and Hera. She stole her mother's anointments and gave them to Europa, then to escape her mother's wrath went into hiding. Angelia's father Zeus…
Tammy
English, diminutive of Tamara
Made famous in fifties movies as a wholesome backwoods gal, Tammy was a Top 10 choice from the mid-60s to early-70s, but is now given to fewer than 100 babies per year in the US.
Barbra
Barbra is a feminine name that emerged as a variant spelling of Barbara, which comes from Greek origins meaning 'foreign woman' or 'stranger.' This spelling was particularly popularized by legendary…
Beth
English diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
The sweetest and most sensitive of the pet names for Elizabeth, now also one of the most dated.
Lourdes
Spanish, Portuguese, from French, meaning unknown
This name of the French town where a young peasant girl had a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1858 vaulted into the spotlight when Madonna chose it for her daughter, but few other families except for…
