Names that Peaked in 1943
Across 2 pages
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About this list
The names
James
English variation of Jacob, Hebrew
"supplanter"
James is one of the classic Anglo-Saxon names, a stalwart through the ages that is more popular—and yes, stylish—than ever today. It recently came out Number 1 in a poll of America's favorite boys'…
Thomas
Aramaic
"twin"
A solid classic with plenty of history, Thomas strikes the balance between strength and gentleness. A favorite in the UK, a staple in France, and Australia, and never absent from the US Top 100,…
Mary
Hebrew or Egyptian
"drop of the sea; bitter; beloved; love"
Mary is the English form of Maria, which ultimately was derived from the Hebrew name Maryam/Mariam. The original meaning of Maryam is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew…
Richard
German
"dominant ruler"
A classic old Norman name popular for a thousand years and favored for kings (Richard Nixon was named for Richard the Lionhearted), as well as the hoi polloi (as in every Tom, Dick and Harry),…
Ronald
Scottish, Norse
"ruler's counselor"
A strong, if slightly dated sounding choice, Ronald made the US Top 10 in the late 1930s through into the mid-1940s, before it became heavily associated with President Reagan, as well as with the…
Eileen
Scottish variation of Evelyn
"desired; or water, island"
The Scottish Eileen was a midcentury darling that was on a long downward slide for decades. And then, in 2012, it took an unexpected pivot and has been inching upward in the US. The unrelated but…
Phylis
Phylis is a variant spelling of the more common Phyllis, a name with ancient Greek origins derived from 'phyllon,' meaning 'leaf.' In Greek mythology, Phyllis was a Thracian princess who was…
Ruthann
Ruthann is a feminine name that combines the classic biblical name Ruth with the suffix 'ann.' Ruth derives from Hebrew origins, meaning 'friend,' 'companion,' or 'vision of beauty.' This combination…
Roseann
Compound name, combining Rose and Ann
"graceful rose"
A shaper, more succinct variation on Roseanne, Rosanne or Roseanna, Roseann was popular in the 1940s.
Susann
Susann is a feminine name that represents a variation of Susan, which derives from the Hebrew name Shoshana, meaning 'lily' or 'rose.' This particular spelling with the double 'n' ending gives the…
Gerry
English, diminutive of Geraldine
Gerry was hep along with poodle skirts and banana splits.
Sharon
Hebrew
"a plain"
This Old Testament place name was in the Top 10 fifty years ago, but now Sharon, along with sound-alike Karen, have fallen out of favor.
Kaye
Short form of Katherine, Greek
"pure"
Kaye and its more popular sister Kay, once common short forms of the perennially popular Katherine, are now on the endangered list, given to fewer than 50 baby girls each year. But maybe that makes…
Rosann
Rosann is a feminine name that combines elements of Rose and Ann/Anne, two classic names with long histories. Rose derives from the Latin 'rosa,' referring to the flower that has symbolized love and…
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…
Sharen
Sharen is a feminine name that emerged as a variant spelling of Sharon, which derives from the biblical place name referring to a fertile coastal plain in Israel. In the Song of Solomon, the phrase…
Curtiss
Curtiss is a masculine name that represents a spelling variation of Curtis, which originated as an English surname derived from the Old French 'courteis' meaning 'courteous' or 'refined.' The…
Sherron
Sherron is a feminine name that developed as a variation of Sharon or Sharron. Its origins connect to the biblical Plain of Sharon in Israel, an area known for its beauty and fertility. The Hebrew…
Sharron
Sharron is a feminine name that represents an alternative spelling of Sharon, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'a fertile plain' or 'forest.' In the Bible, Sharon refers to a coastal plain in Israel…
Gay
French
"joyful"
The meaning of this word flipped from "cheerful" to "homosexual" during the twentieth century, and it's now almost certainly too loaded to sit comfortably as a baby name. Which is a shame as…
