Names that Peaked in 1950

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' baby names, and is the most common male name, counting people of all ages, in the US.

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, Thomas feels like a safe bet and a name that fits into any era.

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, and Canada; it lingers towards to bottom of the US charts. In the UK however, Nancy has been a Top 100 name for nearly a decade where it fits right in with Evie, Mabel, and Pippa.

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 the Bonnie bandwagon but now it's trending here too.

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 1946 to 1957 -- it's still a widely used name. It remains an even more popular in Ireland.

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 fading ever since. But a comeback in its full form is definitely conceivable—just look at Penelope.

Spelling variation of Philip. Exactly as many baby boys were named with the single 'l' spelling in 2017.

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.

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 simplicity. In one recent year, fewer than 100 baby girls received the name, and we don't see it reviving any time soon.

Lyn as a masculine name has multiple origins and interpretations. It can be a shortened form of names like Lyndon, Lincoln, or Linden, or used independently. In Welsh, 'lyn' means 'lake' or 'waterfall,' giving the name a nature-inspired meaning. The name also sometimes appears as a variant spelling of Lin, which has Chinese origins meaning 'forest' or 'fine jade' depending on the character used. As a masculine name, Lyn has a simple, strong quality with its crisp single syllable. While more commonly used as a feminine name or nickname in many Western countries, masculine Lyn carries a gentle yet dignified quality. Its brevity makes it distinctive in an era of longer male names.

Sharper and steelier than Martha, but with the same underused vintage appeal.

A diminutive of Daniel that's been immortalized in odes ranging from 'Danny Boy' to 'Danny's Song.'

Margarita is an international form of Margaret that shares its meaning of "pearl", but also directly translates to "daisy" in Spanish and Greek. Despite being widely associated with the alcoholic beverage in English, it has a long history of use in Spanish, Greek and several Slavic languages — most notably being the name of the heroine of Mikhail Bulgakov's 1966 novel Master and Margarita.

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 go-by name.

In the US, this variation is more popular than the original. Terrence has been in the US Top 1000 since 1920, but Terence has been left behind. Alternate spelling Terrance is the most popular iteration of the name.

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 Flynn. In Welsh contexts, it relates to geographical features, literally referring to someone who lived in or near a valley. Glynn has maintained modest usage throughout the 20th century, particularly in Celtic regions and their diaspora communities. The name has a concise, strong sound while maintaining a touch of Celtic mystique. Notable bearers include various athletes, musicians, and actors, though it has never reached mainstream popularity. The distinctive double 'n' spelling gives this short name a visual interest while honoring its Celtic linguistic roots.

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 'gracious rose' or 'rose of grace.' This romantic, vintage name has maintained consistent though modest popularity throughout the decades, experiencing peaks in the 1950s. Roseanna offers the beauty of the rose symbolism with the enduring quality of Anna derivatives. Often associated with sweetness and femininity, the name appears in pop culture, notably in the 1970s hit song 'Rosanna' by Toto (though with a different spelling). Variations include Rosanna, Roseanne, and Rosana.

Like Benita, had some popularity in the fifties.

Forever -- or at least for a while -- linked to the onetime "Domestic Goddess", Roseanne Barr.

Lawrance is a masculine name that represents an alternative spelling of the more common Lawrence. Derived from the Latin name Laurentius, meaning 'from Laurentum' (an ancient Roman city known for its laurel trees), it also connects to 'laurel,' symbolizing victory and honor in classical tradition. This spelling variation offers a subtle distinction while maintaining the strong, classic essence of the original name. Historically, Lawrence has been popularized through figures like St. Lawrence, D.H. Lawrence, and Lawrence of Arabia. The Lawrance spelling, though less common, provides a slightly modernized take on this enduring classic. The name conveys qualities of dignity, intelligence, and steadfastness. While less frequently seen than the traditional spelling, Lawrance maintains the name's distinguished history while offering a touch of uniqueness.