Names that Peaked in 1969
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…
Laura
English from Latin
"from Laurentum or bay laurel"
Laura is a hauntingly evocative perennial, never trendy, never dated, feminine without being fussy, with long-standing literary links. All this makes Laura a more solid choice than any of its more…
Michelle
French variation of Michael
"who is like God"
Michelle is the feminine form of Michel, the French variation of Michael. Michael was derived from the Hebrew name Mihka’el, meaning "who is like God." The alternate spelling Michele, with one "L,"…
Lara
Russian, diminutive of Larissa or Larisa
"citadel"
This is an alternative to Laura or Lauren made romantic by Dr Zhivago , and badass by video-game heroine Lara Croft. In mythology, Lara was a nymph in Ovid's Fasti known for her beauty and inability…
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…
Janeen
Janeen is a feminine name that emerged as a variant of Jane or Janine, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning 'God is gracious.' This variation gained modest popularity in the…
Deanna
English variation of Diana, Latin, feminization of Dean
"divine; church official"
Though still being used, Deanna peaked many decades ago.
Candy
English word name or diminutive of Candace, Latin
"white, pure, sincere"
Too sugary sweet and inconsequential for a modern girl.
Jacques
French variation of James and Jacob
"supplanter"
Regal and ancient feeling, Jacques has been declining in popularity in its native France, but in the UK, it saw a surprising revival in 2022. Jumping from somewhere around the #2500 mark straight to…
Darci
Darci is a feminine name that serves as a variant spelling of Darcy, which originated as an English and French surname derived from a place name in Normandy (d'Arcy, meaning 'from Arcy'). This…
Leigh
English variation of Lee
"pasture, meadow"
This spelling adds a little more femininity to the neutral Lee. Leigh and sister Lee were quite popular in the 1960s and 1970s among the first cool wave of unisex names for girls, but now have…
Marnie
English
"of the sea"
A retro short form of Marina, dated to the era of the Hitchcock movie that made it famous, Marnie is beginning to feel fresh again — or rather, it is in the UK. Appearing in the Top 100 there in a…
Marni
Marni is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. Some consider it a diminutive of Marina or Marna, derived from Latin meaning "of the sea," while others trace it to Hebrew origins as a…
Marti
Short form or Martina or Martha or variation of Marto, Latin, Hebrew, Javanese
"warlike; lady; soft-hearted, gentle. refreshing"
A spelling variation of Marty and Martie, this form has the retro charm of Joni, Patti, and Suki, and the contemporary feel of Remi, Romi, and Kaeli. Derived from the more classic Martin/a and…
Dion
Diminutive of Dionysius, Greek
"child of heaven and earth; of Zeus"
A variation of Greek Dionysius, itself derived from the name of the god of wine, revelry, and dance, Dion gives a nod to mythology while also having historical ties to a student of Plato, to a Greek…
Kimberlee
Kimberlee is a feminine name that represents a spelling variation of Kimberly, which originated as an English place name derived from Anglo-Saxon elements meaning "royal fortress meadow" or "meadow…
Shannan
Shannan is a feminine name of Irish and Gaelic origin, derived from the name of Ireland's longest river, the Shannon, meaning 'wise river' or 'old river.' This name variant gained popularity in the…
Donnell
Donnell is a masculine name with roots as an anglicized form of the Irish name Domhnall (composed of 'domhan' meaning 'world' and 'all' meaning 'mighty'). The name has historical usage dating back…
Rochelle
French
"little rock"
While Rochelle may sound like a twist on Rachel, it has a different origin entirely. Rather than having Biblical and Hebrew ties, it comes from the name of a city on the west coast of France, La…
Kellie
Kellie is a feminine name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname 'Kelly' which means 'warrior' or 'bright-headed.' It emerged as a standalone first name in the mid-20th century, gaining…