Names that Peaked in 1940
Across 2 pages
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Jerry
Short feminine form of Gerald or Jerome, German or Greek
"ruler with the spear or sacred name"
The J spelling of this nickname name has always skewed more masculine, perhaps because it relates directly to Jerome but not to Geraldine. But supermodel Jerry Hall, whose full name is Jerry and who…
Lonna
Lonna is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Lona, which could derive from the Scottish word 'lone' meaning 'solitary,' or could be a diminutive of names containing…
Pat
Diminutive of Patricia
"noble, patrician"
An early and still quintessentially gender-neutral name, now supplanted by thousands of fresher options. Hasn't been recorded as a given name since 1991. Pat was the name of a gardener in Alice's…
Patricia
Latin
"noble, patrician"
Patricia still sounds patrician, though its scores of nicknames definitely don't. Wildly popular from the forties (alternately Number 3 and 4 throughout the decade) to the sixties, Patricia has been…
Freddy
Diminutive of Frederick
"peaceful ruler"
Another old-school nickname getting new attention thanks to TV's Mad Men . Names like Fred, Pete, and George have been out so long it's time for them to come back in. It reentered the US Top 1000 in…
Allan
Spelling variation of Alan
"handsome, cheerful"
This extra-L variation of Alan isn't quite as popular in the US as the original. Both spellings remain popular in Ireland and England.
Connie
Diminutive of Conrad or Constantine
One of those Old World nicknames -- think Sally and Patsy -- that long ago crossed over to the girls' side.
Gaylon
Gaylon is a masculine name with varied origins. It may be a variant of Galen, derived from the Greek name Galenos, meaning 'calm' or 'tranquil.' Alternatively, it could be related to the English name…