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Names that Peaked in 1957

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Thu Nov 30 2023
  1. 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).
  2. 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.
  3. Susan

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Susannah, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      Although Susan had her heyday from the thirties to the sixties, and is now common among moms and new grandmas, and though most modern parents would prefer Susanna/Susannah, we have spotted some flickers of interest in a revival. It still retains a certain black-eyed-Susan freshness.
  4. Cynthia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "moon goddess; woman from Kynthos"

    • Description:

      Sleek and serious, yet bright and energetic at the same time, Cynthia appears in classic mythology as an epithet for Artemis or Diana. While it is now a more neglected choice, it was once hugely popular in the middle of the 20th-century, peaking at #7 in the US, and in the Top 20 by diminutive Cindy.
  5. 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.
  6. Marianne

    • Origin:

      French combination of Marie and Anne

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + grace"

    • Description:

      A midcentury Catholic classic that's not chosen by many parents today. Leonard Cohen fans might think of the beautiful song So Long, Marianne, named for his lover and muse Marianne Ihlen.
  7. Cindy

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Cynthia, Greek, or Lucinda, Spanish and Portuguese

    • Meaning:

      "moon goddess, woman from Kynthos; "

    • Description:

      Cindy as a name in its own right made it into the Top 20 in 1957 and remained a Top 200 girls' name until the end of the 20th century. Although it's fallen precipitously since then and left the Top 1000 completely in 2015, Cindy remains a name commonly heard in the US. Today, though, it would more likely be attached to moms or grandmas than to babies.
  8. Mickey

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Michael, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "who is like God?"

    • Description:

      Pugnacious and spunky like the young Mickey Rooney and the original Mickey Mouse, but virtually never given to babies today.
  9. Michel

    • Origin:

      French form and German short form of Michael, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "who is like God"

    • Description:

      While the (male) French form is pronounced in English like the girls' name Michelle and the German form had a hard k-like sound in the middle, this variation of Michael is distinguished by being used evenly for girls and boys in the U.S. For either gender, though, pronunciation issues will dominate.
  10. Gil

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "happiness"

    • Description:

      Pronounced zheel, it's a dashing conquistador; as gill, it's the nice and slightly boring guy down the street.
  11. Dani

    • Origin:

      Hebrew and Italian, diminutive of Daniella, Danielle, Danita

    • Description:

      Short form occasionally used on its own, with an open and friendly androgynous quality.
  12. Jeannie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Jean, English and Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      A nickname-y choice with a touch of vintage charm, Jeannie is ultimately a feminine diminutive form of the classic John, via Johanna and Jean. With sounds reminiscent of magical genies and of genius, Jeannie (or sleeker Jeanie) might just have the energy to climb back up the charts, as Joni and Joanie have done.
  13. Joanie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Joan, English

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Although Joan was the more popular name in the 20th century, it's the nickname Joanie that is likely to be revived first. Joan ranked as a Top 100 name from the mid '20s to the mid '60s, and the US is still Joan-ed out from that era. But sweet Joanie feels fresh — a sister to names like Sadie, Elsie, and Sylvie. It could have a future on the Top 1000 but for now, scoop up Joanie while it's undiscovered.
  14. Gisele

    • Description:

      The French variation of Giselle was made famous by the spectacular Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen.
  15. Gale

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Gail

    • Description:

      When Gail was popular, half a century ago, Gale was a plausible choice. Gale does put a slightly more masculine spin on the name, but it's dated in any version.
  16. Vicky

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Victoria

    • Meaning:

      "victory"

    • Description:

      This once vivacious midcentury nickname is rarely used for modern babies.
  17. Maribeth

    • Origin:

      English, combination of Mary and Beth

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + oath"

    • Description:

      Variant of Marybeth
  18. Tab

    • Origin:

      Modern invented name

    • Description:

      A Hollywood agent created the name Tab Hunter and poof -- the former Arthur Gelien became a fifties teen idol. We don't advise trying this at home.
  19. Carey

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "dark, black"

    • Description:

      Carey is a surname name that works equally well on babies of all genders: Jazz great Carey Bell and motorcross champion Carey Hart are just two examples of how handsome this name can be for a boy. Also spelled as Cary (as in Old-Hollywood actor, Cary Grant), it was popular for boys in the 50s and remained in the US charts from the 1880s to the 1990s.
  20. Debora

    • Description:

      Debora is the Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian form of Deborah, a name with ancient Hebrew origins meaning 'bee.' In the Old Testament, Debora (Deborah) was a respected prophetess and judge who helped lead the Israelites to victory. The name carries connotations of wisdom, leadership, and industriousness—qualities associated with bees. While the anglicized Deborah peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, the Debora variant maintains popularity in Latin countries and among Hispanic communities. This spelling gives the name a slightly softer, more melodic quality than its English counterpart. Debora blends biblical heritage with a touch of Mediterranean or Latin flair, making it appealing to parents seeking a name with historical depth but distinctive international character.

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