Names that Peaked in 1941

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 has a twin sister named Terry, pulls it off in glamorous style.

Nedra was one of a phalanx of names -- Delma, Verda, Vernice -- popular in the late 19th and early 20th century that dropped out of fashion after World War II and now have disappeared completely. Like the others, Nedra is now extinct.

Herb is a masculine name that originated as a shortened form of Herbert, which comes from Germanic elements 'hari' meaning 'army' and 'beraht' meaning 'bright.' Primarily used in English-speaking countries, Herb peaked in popularity in the United States during the early 20th century. The name has a friendly, unpretentious quality that reflects its association with everyday herbs and plants, despite its martial etymological origins. Herb gained cultural recognition through notable bearers like American bandleader Herb Alpert and basketball player Herb Williams. While rarely given as a formal name to newborns today, it retains a warm, vintage charm that evokes the mid-century era. The name's brevity and straightforward pronunciation give it an accessible, down-to-earth character.

Suellen is a smoosh name that combines two classic names into one that feels both mid-century and modern, a little like Carolyn, a bit like Elowen. Notably used by Margaret Hill in her novel, Gone with the Wind, Suellen peaked in the 1940s and is rarely used today.

Gearld is a masculine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Gerald, which has Germanic origins. The traditional Gerald derives from elements meaning 'spear' and 'rule' or 'power,' suggesting strength and leadership. This alternative spelling with 'ear' rather than 'era' gives the classic name a distinctive appearance while maintaining its traditional pronunciation. Gerald was particularly popular in the early to mid-20th century in English-speaking countries, with this variant spelling being much less common. The name carries associations with dignity and steadfastness, qualities attributed to notable bearers like Gerald Ford, the 38th U.S. President. While the standard spelling remains more recognized, Gearld offers a subtle uniqueness to the traditional name.

In English, Jere could be an alternative spelling to Jerry, a short form of Jeremy, Jerald, Jeremiah and similar. In Croatian and Finnish, however, it is pronounced "YEH-reh" and is used as a diminutive and stand alone form of Jeronim (Croation for Jerome) and for Jeremias (the Finnish form of Jeremiah).

As with many names, the spelling variation Judyth saw some use during the heyday of its then-popular original form Judith. Eighteen baby girls were named Judyth in 1940, when more than 22,000 girls were named Judith. Today, fewer than 300 baby girls are named Judith and none called Judyth.

Phyliss represents an alternative spelling of the more traditional Phyllis, a feminine name with ancient Greek origins meaning "green branch" or "foliage." The name has deep historical roots, appearing in Greek mythology as a character who was transformed into an almond tree. This spelling variation with the double 's' ending emerged as a modern alternative to the conventional form. Phyllis experienced peak popularity in the early to mid-20th century, with the Phyliss variation being less common. The name evokes a sense of vintage charm and classic femininity. While usage declined significantly after the 1960s, it carries nostalgic appeal and might be rediscovered by parents interested in reviving grandmother names with slight modifications to refresh their appearance.

Marge used to be as common as Maggie or Megan, ranking on its own in the girls' Top 1000 from 1900 until right after World War II, when so many Old School names fell off the list in favor of a new generation cuter, perkier choices.

The meaning of Mary is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Karolyn is a feminine name representing a variant spelling of Caroline or Carolyn, all deriving from the masculine name Charles, which means 'free man' or 'manly.' This particular spelling combines the phonetic clarity of 'Carol' with the feminine ending '-lyn,' creating a distinctive but recognizable name. Karolyn gained some popularity in the mid-20th century but remains less common than traditional spellings. The name carries a classic, timeless quality while the 'K' spelling adds a touch of modernity and uniqueness. Karolyn offers the perfect balance between familiarity and distinctiveness, as most people will recognize it but encounter it less frequently than Caroline or Carolyn. The name conveys grace and strength, making it versatile across different ages and personalities.