Names that Peaked in 1970
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…
Brian
Irish
"strong, virtuous, and honorable"
The origins of the name Brian are not entirely clear, but it is suspected that it evolved from an Old Celtic word related to nobility. In Ireland the name is associated with Brian Boru, the most…
Bradley
English
"wide meadow"
An English surname name, Bradley has a long history, dating way back to at least 1086, but as a first name it actually succeeded in the US before it reached England--though Dickens used it in his…
Jennifer
Cornish variation of Guinevere, Welsh
"white shadow, white wave"
Jennifer is the Cornish variation of Guinevere, which ultimately derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar. As such, it is connected to the queen of Arthurian legend, and sharees the same meaning of…
Janene
Janene is a feminine name that emerged as a modern variant of Jane and Jean, with possible influences from Janine. Originating primarily in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century,…
Traci
Traci is a feminine name that gained popularity in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. It emerged as a modern variant spelling of Tracy, which originated as an English surname derived from…
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.
Shona
Scottish Gaelic
"God is gracious"
Anglicized form of Seònaid, the Scottish Gaelic equivalent of Janet. It has historically been quite popular in Scotland, although it hasn't ranked in the Top 100 there since 1995. Shona is also,…
Lea
Variation of Lee or Leah
"meadow; weary"
While traditionally pronounced as a homonym for Lee, Glee actress Lea Michele pronounces her name like Leah, and it may also rhyme with Freya. Regardless of your preferred pronunciation, it's…
Lance
English word name or English variation of Lanzo, German "long, pointed, medieval weapon; land"
"long, pointed, medieval weapon; land"
Though the fuller Lancelot has for the most part been shunned as a 'too-much-name' name, the short form Lance has been consistently in or around the Top 500 since 1938, climbing as high as Number 76…
Linette
Linette is a feminine name of French origin, functioning as a diminutive of Line or Lina, which themselves derive from names ending in -line or -lina, such as Caroline, Emmeline, or Angelina. The…
Scot
Scot is a masculine name with clear geographic origins, directly referring to a person from Scotland. Derived from the Latin 'Scotus,' meaning 'Scottish,' this concise name carries strong cultural…
Carin
Variation of Karen or Carina, Danish or Italian
"pure or dear little one"
Carin looks like Carina but sounds like Karen, which is a big drawback these days when Karen is a not-flattering sobriquet for a bossy middle-aged woman. Better to lengthen it to Carina or shorten it…
Raquel
Spanish variation of Rachel
"ewe"
Attractive name popular in the Latino community, long identified with half-Bolivian actress Raquel Welch. Similarly to the Hebrew form Rachel, Raquel is past its peak. Nonetheless, it retains a…
Tisa
African, Swahili
"ninth born"
Not many parents would want to use Tisa for its literal meaning in this era of smaller families, but Tisa is a name with much crossover appeal. Simple and straightforward, it's also both distinctive…
Trina
Scandinavian, diminutive of Katrina
Nickname name that retains an Old Country feel.
Racquel
Spelling variation of Raquel
Nicolle
Nicolle is a feminine name that serves as a French-influenced variant of Nicole, which itself is the female form of Nicholas. The name ultimately derives from Greek elements meaning 'victory of the…
Tracie
Tracie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Tracy, which itself began as an English surname derived from place names in Normandy, France. The place names came from the…
Tyrone
Irish
"land of Owen"
Immigrated into American pop culture in the person of 1940s superstar Tyrone Power, Jr. It has been on a steady decline since the 1970s.

