Names that Peaked in 1986

Keshia

Keshia is a feminine name that gained prominence in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s. It appears to be a variant spelling of Keisha, which may have originated as a variation of the Irish…

Domonique

Variation of Dominique, African American, French

"belonging to the lord"

A spelling variation of the unisex Dominique that was briefly popular in the late 80s and early 90s.

Brett

Celtic

"from Brittany"

One of a number of single-syllable unisex B-names, Brett was first spotted as a female name in Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises , via the dashing and seductive Lady Brett Ashley, who was a captivating…

Britta

Scandinavian, variation of Birgit or Britt

"strength or exalted one"

If you want a pan-Scandinavian name with energy and style that could have been a winner, if not for the sound-alike water filtration company Brita.

Cherelle

Cherelle is a feminine given name that appears to be a variant of Cherell or possibly derived from 'Cherie,' a French word meaning 'darling' or 'beloved.' The name has been in use since at least the…

Cherrelle

Cherrelle is a feminine name that emerged in the mid-20th century, possibly as an elaborated form of Cheryl or an ornamental version of Cherry. The name gained some recognition through American R&B…

Erica

Norse feminization of Eric or Italian word name

"eternal ruler; heather"

The straightforward Erica is a Norse feminization that was long associated with the complex, mega-popular character Erica Kane, played by Susan Lucci for decades on the soap opera All My Children .…

Kyrie

Short form of Kyra or Greek

"Lord"

Kyrie elieson is one of the oldest religious refrains, meaning Lord, have mercy. As a first name, though, Kyrie is less a name of God and more a nickname-name that might be short for Kyra or a…

Nakita

Nakita is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. Often considered a variation of Nikita, which has Russian roots as a masculine name meaning 'unconquered,' Nakita has evolved to be primarily…

Sable

English animal name

Sable is often associated with the Dynsaty soap opera, but it is actually a type of animal historically hunted for its fur. Sable is also used as a word for a warm, rich black color. Both…

Sharday

Sharday is a contemporary feminine name that emerged in American naming culture during the late 20th century. Its popularity likely drew inspiration from the French-American singer Sade (pronounced…

Shardae

Punjabi

"runaway"

Whatever its derivation, best known now in the version used by the jazzy singer, Sade.

Sharde

Sharde appears to be a modern name that emerged in the United States in the late 20th century. It may be a variant spelling of Sharday or Shardae, or possibly related to the French word 'charder'…

Whitney

English surname

"white island"

Yesterday's sensation that rose with the popularity of Whitney Houston. Whitney may have lost some of its style value, but it still sounds like one of the quintessential English names for girls .…

Shaquita

Shaquita emerged in American naming patterns during the 1960s and gained increasing popularity through the 1970s and early 1980s. The name appears to be a variant of Shaquita, possibly derived from…

Halley

Scottish and English

"hall or woodland clearing"

The Halley version of this popular name family hit the Top 1000 only once, in 1986, inspired by Halley's Comet, named for astronomer Edmund Halley. Today, Halley is still used -- it was given to 50…

Casey

Irish

"brave in battle"

One of the original unisex Irish surname names, energetic Casey bounced onto the scene in the 1960s, then peaked in the 1980s for both boys and girls. Today Casey is having a resurgence for both…