Names that Peaked in 1936
Across 2 pages
of 2
The names
Thomas
Aramaic
"twin"
A solid classic with plenty of history, Thomas strikes the balance between strength and gentleness. A favorite in the UK, a staple in France, and Australia, and never absent from the US Top 100,…
Robert
English from German
"bright fame"
Robert was the Number 1 boys' name in the US in both 1925 and 1950, and in fact was in the Top 25 for more than a century, giving it true classic status. Strong if not quite stylish, Robert remains…
Mary
Hebrew or Egyptian
"drop of the sea; bitter; beloved; love"
Mary is the English form of Maria, which ultimately was derived from the Hebrew name Maryam/Mariam. The original meaning of Maryam is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew…
Richard
German
"dominant ruler"
A classic old Norman name popular for a thousand years and favored for kings (Richard Nixon was named for Richard the Lionhearted), as well as the hoi polloi (as in every Tom, Dick and Harry),…
Marilyn
English, combination of Mary and Lynn
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + lake"
For a name that was in the Top 20 for a whole decade – the 1930's – Marilyn has attained the status of almost a one-person name. Just say the name Marilyn, and most people will know who you mean. Yet…
Evonne
French variation of Yvonne
A variation made famous by Australian Aboriginal tennis champ Evonne Goolagong.
Jeanetta
Variation of Jeanette, French
"God is gracious"
Jeanette is a fancification of Jeanne, Jeanetta makes it even fancier.
Marlyn
Marlyn is a feminine name that functions as a variant of Marilyn or a blend of Mary and Lynn. Its origins are diverse, potentially deriving from the Welsh elements 'mâr' (sea) and 'llyn' (lake), or…
Marylyn
English combination of Mary and Lynn
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + lake"
Variant of Marilyn
Marylin
English combination of Mary and Lynn
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + lake"
Variant of Marilyn
Marlene
German variation of Madeline; combination of Mary and Magdalen
Marlene Dietrich made it famous when she condensed her first two names, Maria and Magdalena. Now more often pronounced with two syllables rather than three.
Marva
Marva is a feminine name with multiple documented origins. It emerged as a diminutive form of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, in some European traditions. Alternatively, it may derive from the…
Patsy
English, diminutive of Patricia
"noble, patrician"
This sassy, spunky name was used for the mostly Irish jump-roping pigtailed girls of the thirties and forties -- and some Irish and Italian boys as well. Its most noted bearer was iconic country…
Rosemarie
Combination of Rose and Marie
"rose flower + drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
Rosemarie had its moment in the sun back in the middle of the last century, when parents were looking for new ways to recycle traditional family names. So a child might combine her two grandma's…
Sammie
Sammie is a charming feminine name that originated as a diminutive nickname for Samantha or Samuel, though it now often stands as an independent given name. With Hebrew roots meaning 'name of God' or…
Shirley
English
"bright meadow"
Shirley Temple almost single-handedly lifted the gloom of the Great Depression, and in tribute (and perhaps wishing for a similarly curly-headed, dimpled darling of their own), thousands of parents…
Shirlene
Shirlene is a feminine name that emerged as a variant of Shirley, which originally began as an English surname meaning 'bright clearing' or 'bright meadow.' Popular primarily in the mid-20th century,…
Toby
Female diminutive of Tobias, Greek from Hebrew
"God is good"
Toby is an early unisex name with a Shakespearean pedigree; when used for a girl it retains its tomboyish quality. Fits well with the growing trend of boyish nicknames for girls -- alongside rising…
Vonnie
Vonnie is primarily a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of names containing the element "von" or as a nickname for names like Yvonne, Veronica, or Siobhan. With Irish and American…
Arlan
Arlan is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Germanic elements 'arn' (eagle) and 'land,' suggesting 'eagle land.' Alternatively, it could be a variation of Harlan,…