​
​
Advanced Search

Names that Peaked in 1942

  1. Merrilee

    • Origin:

      English, word name or combination of Mary and Lee, or Scottish place-name

    • Description:

      Merrilee has several different origins. It's an alternative spelling of the unusual word name Merrily, as well as a variant of the smoosh name Marilee (Mary + Lee). Merrilee, Merrilees or Mirrlees are also found in Scotland, deriving from a Scottish place name. Merrilee hit the Top 1000 for a few years in the 1940s, but disappeared from the charts completely back in 2007. In 2023, however, 5 baby girls were given name, as it joined a number of vintage revivals making a reappearance in the US.
  2. Merrily

    • Origin:

      English word name or combination of Mary and Lee

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + meadow"

    • Description:

      Slightly sing-song and very joyful, with a hint of Melody, a bit of Felicity, and a dash of Truly thrown in, Merrily was briefly popular in the 1940s.
  3. Lanny

    • Description:

      Lanny is a masculine name with English origins, often used as a diminutive of names like Landon, Lance, or Orlando. It gained modest popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, peaking in the 1950s and 1960s. The name carries a friendly, approachable quality with its informal sound and easy pronunciation. Lanny has associations with several notable figures, including musician Lanny Wolfe and former hockey player Lanny McDonald, which has helped maintain its recognition. Though never extremely common, the name has a distinctly American feel that balances casualness with a certain charm. Today, Lanny maintains a nostalgic appeal while remaining uncommon enough to be distinctive.

  4. Carole

    • Description:

      Carole is a feminine name of French origin, derived from the masculine name Charles, ultimately from Germanic roots meaning 'free man' or 'strong.' Popularized in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century, Carole reached its peak popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, boosted by celebrities like Carole Lombard. The spelling with an 'e' ending gives it a distinctly French flair compared to the variant Carol. Though less common for newborns today, Carole retains a classic, elegant image. The name carries musical associations through the tradition of Christmas carols and gained recognition through famous bearers like singer-songwriter Carole King. Its timeless quality balances tradition with a warm, approachable character.

  5. Aloma

    • Origin:

      Invented name

    • Description:

      Aloma is a name invented for a Hawaiian dancer, the title character in a 1925 play later adapted twice as a film. But long before that, it was also used by the medieval scholar Ramón Llull, possibly as a feminine form of Alomar (from the Germanic name Aldemar, "old + famous"). The Catalan author Mercè Rodoreda used it for the heroine of her novel Aloma/, making it a classic Catalan literary choice.
      It has not been used enough to make the US charts since the 1980s, but would fit with the trend for liquid-sounding, multicultural names like Alaia and Alina.
  6. Douglass

    • Description:

      Douglass is a masculine name that represents a variant spelling of Douglas, which originated as a Scottish surname meaning 'dark water' or 'dark stream.' This specific spelling with the double 's' is most famously associated with Frederick Douglass, the renowned 19th-century abolitionist, writer, and statesman who was born into slavery and became a powerful advocate for freedom and equality. The name carries historical weight and dignity, particularly in connection to civil rights and social justice. While less common than the single-s spelling, Douglass maintains the strong, classic character of the original while subtly distinguishing itself. It conveys traditional masculinity combined with intellectual substance.
  7. Mcarthur

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of Arthur"

    • Description:

      The Mc and Mac surnames are asserting themselves as first names and this is one of the most popular. Though outside the U.S. Top 1000, it's among the fastest rising names for boys.
  8. Barrie

    • Description:

      Barrie is a masculine name of Irish and Scottish Gaelic origin, derived from the name Barry, which means 'spear' or 'fair-haired.' It gained some recognition through association with the Scottish author J.M. Barrie, creator of Peter Pan. The name has a friendly, approachable quality while still maintaining a certain strength. While traditionally masculine, Barrie has occasionally been used for girls as well, particularly in English-speaking countries. As a male name, it peaked in popularity during the mid-20th century but has since become less common, giving it a somewhat vintage appeal. The spelling with an 'ie' ending lends a slightly softer touch to this otherwise straightforward name, making it an interesting option for parents seeking something familiar yet not overused.

  9. Jerald

    • Description:

      Jerald is a masculine name of Germanic origin, a variant spelling of Gerald, which combines the elements 'ger' meaning 'spear' and 'wald' meaning 'rule' or 'power.' This traditional name has been in use since medieval times, carried by saints and nobility throughout European history. The Jerald spelling variation emerged in English-speaking countries, particularly gaining popularity in America during the early to mid-20th century. Though less common now than in its peak decades of the 1930s-1950s, the name maintains associations with reliability, strength, and traditional masculinity. Many bearers go by the shortened form 'Jerry,' which adds an approachable, friendly dimension to the more formal Jerald.
  10. Kaaren

    • Description:

      Kaaren is a feminine name that represents a Scandinavian variant of Karen, which ultimately derives from Katherine. The name's roots trace back to the Greek 'Aikaterine,' with debated meanings including 'pure' or possibly connecting to the goddess Hecate. The distinctive double 'a' spelling reflects Norwegian and Danish linguistic influences, giving the name a Nordic touch that sets it apart from the more common Karen. While never achieving mainstream popularity in the United States, Kaaren saw modest usage during the mid-20th century when Karen was at its peak. Today, Kaaren remains uncommon, offering a unique alternative with the same pleasant sound but less cultural baggage than its more common counterpart.
  11. Jerrilyn

    • Description:

      Jerrilyn is a feminine name that emerged as a modern elaboration of the name Jerry, combined with the popular feminine suffix '-lyn.' Jerry itself is traditionally a diminutive of Gerald or Jerome. Gerald comes from Germanic origins meaning 'rule of the spear,' while Jerome derives from Greek, meaning 'sacred name.' Jerrilyn gained modest popularity in America during the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s, aligning with the trend of creating new feminine names by adding suffixes to masculine names. The name has a distinctly mid-century American feel, though it never reached widespread popularity. Jerrilyn offers the friendly, approachable quality of Jerry with a feminine twist, creating a name that balances familiarity with distinctiveness.

  12. Jerilyn

    • Description:

      Jerilyn is a feminine given name that emerged in mid-20th century America as a variation of Jeri or a feminine form of Jerry, combined with the popular '-lyn' suffix. The name ultimately derives from Gerald/Geraldine, which has Germanic origins meaning 'rule of the spear.' Jerilyn gained modest popularity during the 1940s-1960s, reflecting the trend of creating more elaborate variations of simple names. It offers a balance between familiar sounds and distinctive character. The name has since declined in usage, giving it a generational connection to the Baby Boomer era. Jerilyn's melodic three-syllable structure and soft sounds create an impression of femininity while maintaining an approachable quality. Though uncommon today, it remains recognizable and easy to pronounce.
  13. Macarthur

    • Description:

      Macarthur as a feminine given name is quite unusual, as it's traditionally a Scottish surname meaning "son of Arthur." The name gained prominence through historical figures like General Douglas MacArthur. While uncommon as a first name for girls, it follows the trend of using surnames as given names, similar to Madison or Kennedy. The masculine associations make it a bold, unexpected choice for a girl, perhaps appealing to parents seeking a strong, distinctive name. Mac or Artie could serve as natural nicknames. The name carries connotations of strength, leadership, and military heritage, creating an impression of resilience and authority.
  14. Jerrie

    • Description:

      Jerrie is a feminine name that typically functions as a diminutive of Geraldine or Jeraldine, ultimately deriving from Germanic elements meaning 'spear ruler.' It can also serve as a feminine variation of Jerry (short for Gerald or Jerome). The name enjoyed modest popularity in the United States during the 1930s-1950s but has since become uncommon. Jerrie has historical connections to notable women including Jerrie Mock, the first woman to fly solo around the world. With its friendly, approachable sound and vintage charm, Jerrie represents the mid-century trend of using nicknames as given names while maintaining a cheerful, unpretentious quality that feels both familiar and distinctive.

  15. Jerold

    • Description:

      Jerold is a masculine name of Germanic origin, considered a variant of Gerald, which combines elements meaning 'spear' and 'rule' or 'power.' The name emerged in medieval Europe and was brought to England by the Normans. Jerold had its peak popularity in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s, but has gradually declined since then. It's appreciated for its traditional sound while being less common than similar names like Gerald or Jerome. People named Jerold are often nicknamed Jerry or Jeri. The name carries connotations of strength and leadership, reflecting its warrior origins.
  16. Carolynn

    • Description:

      Carolynn is a feminine name representing a variant spelling of Caroline or Carolyn. These names derive from the masculine name Charles, which comes from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "man." The -lynn ending gives Carolynn a more contemporary feel while maintaining connection to its classic roots. This particular spelling gained modest popularity in the mid-20th century United States but remains less common than Carolyn. Carolynn carries the dignity and timelessness of Caroline while the unique spelling offers a touch of distinction. The name suggests qualities of strength and grace, and its familiar sound paired with uncommon spelling creates a balance between traditional and unique. Carolynn works well across age groups, maintaining its appeal from childhood through adulthood.
  17. Saundra

    • Description:

      Saundra is a feminine name that emerged as a variant spelling of Sandra, which itself is a shortened form of Alexandra. This name has Greek origins, ultimately derived from the Greek word "alexein" meaning "to defend" or "to help." Saundra gained modest popularity in the United States during the 1940s through the 1960s, reaching its peak usage in the mid-1950s. The distinctive spelling with 'u' gives the name a slightly more sophisticated or unique quality compared to the more common Sandra. While its usage has declined since the 1970s, Saundra maintains appeal among parents who appreciate vintage names or seek to honor family members. The name carries connotations of strength and dependability, reflecting its etymological roots.
  18. Carolyne

    • Description:

      Carolyne is a feminine name with Germanic origins, derived from the masculine name Charles (Karl), meaning "free man" or "strong." This elegant variation adds a sophisticated touch to the more common Caroline with its distinctive "y" spelling. Carolyne combines classical heritage with a touch of uniqueness, making it appealing to parents who want a recognizable yet slightly uncommon name. Throughout history, the name has maintained steady usage without becoming overly popular. Carolyne carries associations with grace, intelligence, and refinement. The name has royal connections through various European monarchies, lending it an air of nobility. Its multiple nickname possibilities (Caro, Carol, Lyn) offer versatility while maintaining its classic roots.

  19. Jerilynn

    • Description:

      Jerilynn is a feminine name that combines elements of Jeri (a variant of Jerrie or Geri, which are diminutives of Geraldine or other names beginning with 'Ger-') and Lynn, a traditional Welsh name element meaning 'lake' or 'waterfall.' This combination name emerged in the mid-20th century during a period when hyphenated and compound names were gaining popularity in the United States. Jerilynn reached its peak usage in the 1950s and 1960s but has since become relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive, vintage charm. The name carries associations with both strength (from its Germanic roots) and natural beauty (from its Welsh element), making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a name with character and melodic quality.
  20. Georgeann

    • Description:

      Georgeann is a feminine variant of the classic name George, which has Greek origins meaning "farmer" or "earth-worker." This elaborated form combines George with the feminine suffix -ann, creating a more distinctly female version while maintaining the strong foundation of its root name. Georgeann gained modest popularity in the United States during the 1930s-1950s, coinciding with the trend of compound feminine names. While never reaching the top ranks of popularity, Georgeann offers a traditional yet distinctive alternative to more common Georgian variations like Georgina or Georgette. Today, the name carries a vintage charm that appeals to parents seeking names with historical depth and feminine elegance.