Names that Peaked in 1950
Across 2 pages
of 2
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,…
Stephen
Greek
"garland, crown"
Stephen, also spelled Steven, is a strong and likable classic, with the he's-a-great-guy short form Steve. Though not as well-used or fashionable as it was in its heyday -- it was a Top 25 name from…
Bonnie
Scottish
"beautiful, cheerful"
Bonnie is an adorable nickname name, heading back up the popularity list after a 50-year nap. A Top 100 girls' name throughout the rest of the English-speaking world, Americans are later to jump on…
Danny
Short form of Daniel, Hebrew
"God is my judge"
A diminutive of Daniel that's been immortalized in odes ranging from 'Danny Boy' to 'Danny's Song.'
Phillip
Greek
"lover of horses"
Spelling variation of Philip. Exactly as many baby boys were named with the single 'l' spelling in 2017.
Linda
Spanish, Portuguese and Italian
"pretty"
Linda will live forever in baby name history for toppling Mary from its four hundred year reign as Number 1. Queen of Names in 1947, Linda has fallen even further in favor than Mary today. Still,…
Nancy
English diminutive of Ann or Agnes, Hebrew or Greek
"grace or pure"
To some, Nancy is a sweet, sparkly, vintage choice with plenty of energy and style. For it strays too much into '"old-lady" territory to be cool again yet. It's out of fashion in France, New Zealand,…
Joellen
Joellen is a feminine name that combines the elements of two popular names: Jo (from Joanne/Josephine) and Ellen. Ellen derives from Helen, meaning "light" or "bright one" in Greek. Joellen emerged…
Marsha
Variation of Marcia, diminutive of Marcella
"warlike"
Marcia is the most common version of this group of names in the U. S., now found more often among moms and grandmas than babies. Marsha was a Top 100 name in the 1950s, when Marcy was its common…
Marta
Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian, Slavic
"lady"
Sharper and steelier than Martha, but with the same underused vintage appeal.
Merrie
Merrie is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of 'Merry,' derived from Middle English 'mirie' meaning 'pleasant' or 'delightful.' This cheerful name evokes happiness and bright spirits…
Mona
Irish
"noble good"
Mona had more than a moment in the sun, peaking in 1950 at Number 230 but falling off the Top 1000 completely in the late 1980s. Its similarity to the word "moaner" undercuts the appeal of its…
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…
Roseanne
Combination of Rose and Anne
Forever -- or at least for a while -- linked to the onetime "Domestic Goddess", Roseanne Barr.
Roseanna
Roseanna is a feminine name that combines the classic 'Rose' with the graceful 'Anna,' creating a name that's both familiar and distinctive. With Latin and Hebrew roots, it essentially means…
Deryl
Deryl is a masculine name that represents a variant spelling of Daryl or Darryl, which originated as an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Dáire, meaning 'fruitful' or 'fertile.' This alternate…
Donnie
Short form of Donald, Scottish
"proud chief"
Infantilizing short form best reserved for toddlers and younger.
Glynn
Glynn is a masculine name with Welsh and Irish origins, derived from the word 'glin' meaning 'valley' or 'glen.' It can be both a surname and first name, sometimes used as a variation of Glenn or…
Jerel
Jerel is a modern masculine name with several possible origins. It may be a variant of Jerrell, which itself could be a variation of Darrell (from an English surname meaning "open land"). Some…