​
​
Advanced Search

Names that Peaked in 1956

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Thu Nov 30 2023
  1. Michael

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "who is like God?"

    • Description:

      Michael was the Number 1 American boys' name for almost half a century. While Michael has moved out of the Top 10 baby boy names, it's still widely used.
  2. Mary

    • Origin:

      Hebrew or Egyptian

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea; bitter; beloved; love"

    • Description:

      Mary is the English form of Maria, which ultimately was derived from the Hebrew name Maryam/Mariam. The original meaning of Maryam is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).
  3. Robin

    • Origin:

      Bird name; or English, diminutive of Robert

    • Meaning:

      "bright fame"

    • Description:

      Now that it's no longer fashionable for girls, Robin is rising for boys again. Robin Hood, Robin Williams, Christopher Robin, and Robin the Boy Wonder are all male namesakes, after all. It reentered the US Top 1000 boys names in 2015 for the first time since 1999 and continues to bounce around the lower end of the Top 1000.
  4. Laurel

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "laurel tree"

    • Description:

      Laurel takes Laura back to its meaning in nature, resulting in a gentle, botanical option. Even more directly than Laura, Laurel relates back to the laurel wreath signifying success and peace in ancient Greece and Rome.
  5. Theresa

    • Origin:

      English form of the Spanish Teresa

    • Meaning:

      "to harvest"

    • Description:

      The popular appeal of the strong, intelligent Saint Teresa of Avila, combined with the selfless compassion of the more recent Mother Teresa, have fused to give this second-tier classic a somewhat noble, religious image. Although the origins of the name are uncertain, it has been prevalent particularly in forms Theresa, Teresa, and Therese throughout Europe for centuries.
  6. Denise

    • Origin:

      French, feminine variation of Denis

    • Meaning:

      "god of Nysa"

    • Description:

      Denise was a French favorite of the fifties and sixties but is less chic now. In 2020 it broke back into the Top 1000 after a five-year hiatus, catapulted into style by reality TV star Denisse Novoa — but it dropped out again the following year.
  7. Hal

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Harold or Henry, Scandinavian or German

    • Meaning:

      "army ruler or estate ruler"

    • Description:

      Could Hal be the Jack, Max, or Gus of the future? It just might happen in the new nickname environment. Hank Azaria put it on his son's birth certificate.
  8. Steven

    • Origin:

      English variation of Stephen

    • Meaning:

      "garland, crown"

    • Description:

      Steven, the phonetic and now predominant spelling of the classier Stephen, has finally dropped out of the Top 100 after seventy years. Steve has become one of the ultimate regular-guy names, right up there with Dave and Joe. and there have been innumerable pop-culture role models among its bearers--from Steven Spielberg to Steven Soderbergh to Steve Jobs.
  9. Lynn

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Linda or Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "lake"

    • Description:

      Lynn arrived in the 1940s, spinning off from the wildly popular Linda, to become a top midcentury middle name. Now, Lynn's in limbo.
  10. Lex

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alexander

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      Cool short form of Alexander, fresher than Alex and less trendy than Xander... for now.
  11. Joni

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Iconic folk singer Joni Mitchell lends this vintage nickname a cool, bohemian feel, while the streamlined spelling feels more contemporary and confident than the sweeter, cosier Joanie. While it may have disappeared from the US charts back in the 1980s, over in the nicknaming-loving UK, Joni has ranked in the Top 500 in recent years.
  12. Kem

    • Description:

      Kem is a concise masculine name with diverse cultural origins. In Egyptian, it relates to 'kemet,' referring to the 'black land' or fertile soil of the Nile valley. In Vietnamese traditions, it may be used as a name element meaning 'needle' or 'modesty.' Some consider it a shortened form of Kenneth (meaning 'handsome' or 'born of fire' in Gaelic) or Kempton (an English place name). The name's brevity gives it a modern, streamlined appeal while its cross-cultural connections provide depth. Kem remains relatively uncommon in Western countries, offering distinctiveness without complexity. Its short, strong sound makes it straightforward to pronounce across languages, potentially appealing to parents seeking a simple yet distinctive name with multicultural resonance.

  13. Mimi

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Mary, Miriam, and others

    • Description:

      Sweet, nicknamey name belonging to the tragic heroines of both La Bohème and Rent. Mimi might feel too slight for many parents to use on the birth certificate, but as a short form, it's one of the cutest of the cute baby names.
  14. Michal

    • Origin:

      Czech, Slavic, and Polish variation of Michael

    • Meaning:

      "who is like God?"

    • Description:

      Michal may be one of several Eastern European forms of Michael, though there is a biblical Michal who is female, the daughter of Saul and wife of David.
  15. Nanette

    • Origin:

      French diminutive of Anne

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      There was a time when French names like Annette, Paulette – and Nanette – were chic, but now, we'd have to say "No, no, Nanette".
  16. Audie

    • Origin:

      Short form of Auden or variation on Edward

    • Description:

      Audie as a boys' name was made famous by Audie Murphy, the most decorated hero of World War II. Murphy was born one of ten children of a poor Texas sharecropper's family and the origins of his unusual first name are unknown. But there were 29 boys named Audie in 2013, more than twice the number of girls given the name, which can be a diminutive of Audrey.
  17. Broderick

    • Origin:

      Norse

    • Meaning:

      "brother"

    • Description:

      Despite its brotherly meaning, sounds rather formal and cold.
  18. Doreen

    • Origin:

      Variation of Dora; also Anglicized variation of Irish Doireann

    • Meaning:

      "sullen"

    • Description:

      Much fresher Irish imports available for colleens now.
  19. Jaye

    • Description:

      Jaye is a gender-neutral name that has been more commonly used for females in recent decades. It originated as a simplified variant of names like Jay, Jayne, or Jay, with the added 'e' giving it a more feminine appearance while maintaining its concise nature. The name has English origins and can be considered a modern, streamlined alternative to longer names like Janet, Janice, or Janelle. Jaye gained modest popularity in the mid-20th century and has maintained steady but uncommon usage since then. The name's brevity and contemporary feel make it appealing to parents seeking a name that is straightforward yet distinctive. Its simplicity allows it to pair well with various middle names and surnames.
  20. Melodie

    • Description:

      Melodie is a feminine name that represents a French-influenced spelling variation of Melody. Derived from Greek elements 'melos' (song) and 'oide' (ode), the name literally means 'song' or 'music.' This spelling variation adds a touch of European elegance to the musical name. Melodie gained modest popularity during the mid-20th century when musical names were trending. The name evokes qualities of harmony, creativity, and artistic expression. With its soft consonants and flowing vowel sounds, Melodie itself sounds musical when pronounced. While not as common as the 'Melody' spelling in English-speaking countries, this variant maintains its appeal for parents seeking a slightly distinctive twist on a recognizable and meaningful name with inherent musicality.