Names that Peaked in 1986

Cristina

Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, and Romanian variation of Christina, Greek

"a Christian"

Cristina is one case where the streamlined version feels more alluring. Cristina is found more often than Christina in many European countries and cultures, including Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking…

Amberly

Modern variation of Amber

A rarely used play on Amber, making it more feminine and both more modern and old-fashioned at the same time.

Sade

Finnish, Nigerian and Yoruba, diminutive of Folashade

"rain; honor bestows a crown"

The one-named singer clarified the confusing pronunciation on this one (in her case, it's shah-DAY), but a number of parents have looked for more phonetic spellings. The Finnish version means "rain."

Mayra

Mayra is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Arabic contexts, it means "exceptional" or "beneficial," while in Slavic languages it's connected to "peace" or "greatness." The name also…

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…

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…

Ali

Short form of Alison or Alice or Arabic

"supreme, exalted"

One of the sweet simple unisex names balanced enough to stand on its own. Ali can either be used as a shortening of Al- beginning names. For example, comedian Ali Wong is an Alexandra. Ali is also an…

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…

Krista

Czech variation of Christina

Krista may be past its peak -- along with all similar C-starting sisters and their K variations -- yet it's still a pretty name.

Nikita

Russian, Sanskrit

"victor; house"

Sharp and spiky with international potential, as a feminine name, Nikita has its roots in Hindi, Marathi, and ultimately Sanskrit. It comes from niketa , meaning "home, habitation", and may also be…

Corey

Irish

"from the hollow"

Cool a few decades ago, along with Lori and Tori. Currently out of fashion but may make a retro tomboy choice as an offbeat spin on Charlie.

Felicia

Latin

"lucky"

A lacy, lucky name very popular in the Hispanic community a decade ago, less so now.

Christa

Short form of Christina

Fading since the 1970s -- but still a lovely name.

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.

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…

Shardae

Punjabi

"runaway"

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