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Names that Peaked in 1980

  1. Star

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Most parents today would prefer the softer-sell Stella. But Star has symbolic power related to Christmas, so this could make one of the perfect names for December babies.
  2. Terrance

    • Description:

      Variation of Terence.
  3. Derrick

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Derek, English from German form of Theodoric,"the people's ruler"

    • Meaning:

      "the people's ruler"

    • Description:

      Derek is one of those names that, in its heyday, spawned lots of variations, all trendy. Last year, about 300 baby boys were named Derrick and about 1350 were named Derek.
  4. Lesley

    • Origin:

      Variation of Leslie, Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "garden of holly"

    • Description:

      Lesley runs a distant second to more popular sister Leslie, used for about 30 baby girls in one recent year vs. Leslie's 400+. And interestingly, no baby boys were named Lesley though about 40 were named Leslie. Once one of the most widely-used girl names starting with L, Lesley and Leslie now trail behind trendy L-starting girl names like Layla and Lily.
  5. Corina

    • Description:

      Corina is a feminine name with diverse cultural roots, appearing in Romanian, Spanish, Italian, and Greek naming traditions. Derived from the Greek name 'Korinna' meaning 'maiden' or possibly from 'kore' meaning 'girl,' it has ancient literary connections to a Greek lyric poetess. The name enjoyed notable popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly after singer Corina Chiriac in Romania and through various musical references in other cultures. Corina balances classical elegance with a contemporary sound, offering the appealing nickname 'Cora.' Its melodic quality, with the gentle flow of the 'r' sound, gives it a romantic, feminine character. While not among the most common names today, Corina maintains consistent usage across several European countries and in Latin American communities.
  6. Roberto

    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of Robert, English from German

    • Meaning:

      "bright fame"

    • Description:

      Standard Latin classic that brings some flair to the basic boy name Robert. Nearly 4000 baby boys are still named Robert in the US each year, many of them undoubtedly named for a father or grandfather, while about 550 are named Roberto.
  7. Elisha

    • Origin:

      Variant of Alicia or Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is my salvation"

    • Description:

      Elisha (ee-LYE-sha) is an Old Testament male name, sometimes borrowed for girls. Pronouced eh-LEE-sha, it is also used as a spelling variant of Alicia or Elysia.
  8. Terra

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "earth"

    • Description:

      A video-game import (Final Fantasy VI) for a character with green hair and a name that brings the outmoded Terry and Tara into the postmodern age.

  9. Rolando

    • Origin:

      Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese variation of Roland, German

    • Meaning:

      "famous throughout the land"

    • Description:

      Rolando, along with brother name Orlando, are among the most attractive and appealing of Latinate names. It has been in the US Top 1000 every year since 1946.
  10. Tasha

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Natasha

    • Description:

      See NATASHA.
  11. Lamar

    • Origin:

      English from French

    • Meaning:

      "dweller by a pool"

    • Description:

      While it may sound a little dated, Lamar is a name that has never been outside the US Top 1000, but it is in danger of falling off the list.
  12. Yoel

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah is his God"

    • Description:

      The Hebrew version of Joel has a pleasant, almost jolly sound.
  13. Derick

    • Description:

      Derick is a masculine name that originated as a variation of Derek, which itself derives from the Germanic name Theodoric, meaning 'ruler of the people.' This Old German name combines 'theud' (people) and 'ric' (ruler, power). Derick emerged as an alternative spelling that gained its own usage pattern, particularly in the United States during the mid-20th century. The name carries a solid, traditional quality while being less common than its variant Derek. It reached modest popularity in the 1960s-1980s but has become less frequent in recent decades. Derick conveys strength and reliability, appealing to parents who appreciate traditional masculine names with straightforward pronunciations and a slight touch of distinction through its spelling.

  14. Brannon

    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Brennan

    • Description:

      Occasionally used as an alternative to Brandon or Brennan.
  15. Chimere

    • Description:

      Chimere is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Igbo (Nigerian) tradition, it relates to 'God's creation' or 'something made by God.' The name also has French connections, where 'chimère' refers to a mythical creature or fantastic dream. In American usage, it emerged as a distinctive modern creation, sometimes spelled Chimere, Chymere, or Kimere. The name conveys imagination, creativity, and spiritual connection. Its melodic quality with the soft 'ch' sound and flowing syllables gives it an elegant, dreamy quality. While not among the most common names, Chimere appeals to parents seeking something unique with multicultural dimensions and beautiful sound patterns.
  16. Andria

    • Description:

      Andria is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. It can be considered the feminine form of Andrew, derived from the Greek 'Andreas' meaning 'manly' or 'brave.' In Italian, Andria is also a place name, referring to a city in southern Italy. The name has a soft, flowing quality that has helped maintain its appeal across generations. While not among the most popular girls' names in English-speaking countries, Andria offers an alternative to the more common Andrea, with a slightly different pronunciation emphasis. Its cross-cultural nature makes it appealing to diverse families, and its classical roots give it a timeless quality while maintaining a contemporary feel.

  17. Derik

    • Description:

      Derik is a masculine name functioning as a variation of Derek, which ultimately derives from the Germanic name Theodoric, meaning 'ruler of the people.' This spelling variant maintains the strong, succinct quality of Derek while offering a slightly different visual presentation. The name gained moderate popularity in the United States during the 1960s-1980s but has since become less common, giving today's Derik a somewhat distinctive quality. Its single-syllable pronunciation despite the two-syllable spelling creates a punchy, memorable effect. Derik projects qualities of leadership and strength while remaining approachable. The name travels well internationally and offers straightforward pronunciation across many languages, making it practical yet characterful for families seeking a name with Germanic roots and modern appeal.
  18. Tai

    • Origin:

      Chinese

    • Meaning:

      "great extreme"

    • Description:

      Skater Tai Babilonia brought this sleek modern name to the world's attention. Pronounced "tie."
  19. Deidra

    • Description:

      Deidra is a feminine name with Celtic origins, considered a variant of Deirdre, a tragic heroine from Irish mythology known for her beauty and sorrowful fate. The name may derive from the Old Irish word 'der-drethar' meaning 'woman of rage' or 'sorrowful one.' Unlike the more traditional Deirdre, Deidra represents a modernized spelling that gained modest popularity in America during the 1960s and 1970s. This variant offers a slightly softer pronunciation while maintaining the mythological connection. Deidra carries an air of distinctiveness while remaining approachable and feminine. Though no longer among the most popular names, it appeals to parents drawn to Celtic heritage but seeking a less common alternative to more familiar Irish names.

  20. Shameka

    • Description:

      Shameka appears to be a feminine name that gained prominence in the United States during the 1970s and early 1980s. The name likely combines the prefix 'Sha-' (found in names like Shawn and Sharon) with the suffix '-meka,' which became a popular name element during this period. The 'Sha-' element might derive from Irish 'Seán' (John) or could be purely phonetic. Some sources suggest 'Meka' might relate to the Greek 'mekos' (length) or could be a creative modern formation without specific etymological roots. Shameka represents the innovative naming patterns that emerged in American culture during the late 20th century, characterized by distinctive prefixes and suffixes combined to create melodic new names. Though its popularity peaked in the 1970s-80s, the name continues to appear occasionally in contemporary usage, representing a distinctive naming style from this creative period in American naming history.