Names that Peaked in 1957
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About this list
The names
Michael
Hebrew
"who is like God?"
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. How has Michael racked up this phenomenal…
Mary
Hebrew or Egyptian
"drop of the sea; bitter; beloved; love"
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…
Steven
English variation of Stephen
"garland, crown"
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…
Cindy
English diminutive of Cynthia, Greek, or Lucinda, Spanish and Portuguese
"moon goddess, woman from Kynthos; "
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…
Dani
Hebrew and Italian, diminutive of Daniella, Danielle, Danita
Short form occasionally used on its own, with an open and friendly androgynous quality.
Jeri
Jeri is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Geraldine or Jeraldine, though it has long since established itself as an independent given name. It ultimately derives from Germanic…
Cynthia
Greek
"moon goddess; woman from Kynthos"
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…
Debora
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…
Marty
Short form of Martha or Martina, Aramaic or Latin
"lady or warlike"
Marty and Martie are old-fashioned gender-neutral nickname names, boyish nicknames not heard much since the middle of the last century. That could change, though, with the rise of vintage boyish…
Rock
Word name or diminutive of Rocco
"rock or rest"
Rock definitely has a macho image, if a somewhat caricatured one, ala The Rock. But with the rise of word names and also of tough guy names, Rock feels more plausible than it did a generation ago.
Joanie
Diminutive of Joan, English
"God is gracious"
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…
Caren
Caren is a feminine name that serves as a variant spelling of Karen, which originated as a Danish form of Katherine. Katherine ultimately derives from the Greek name Aikaterine, possibly meaning…
Michel
French form and German short form of Michael, Hebrew
"who is like God"
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…
Vikki
Vikki is a feminine name primarily used as a nickname or diminutive form of Victoria, though it has also established itself as an independent given name. Derived from Victoria's Latin origins meaning…
Elvis
Meaning unknown
When the King was alive, and for years afterwards, few people (except Declan McManus who became Elvis Costello) dared use his singular name, but now it's very much up for grabs. The name Elvis is…
Maribeth
English, combination of Mary and Beth
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + oath"
Variant of Marybeth
Tab
Modern invented name
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.
Sheryl
Variation of Cheryl, English invented name from Cherie, French
"dear"
Somehow, the S versions are even more passe than the C's.
Vicky
Diminutive of Victoria
"victory"
This once vivacious midcentury nickname is rarely used for modern babies.
Nilda
Nilda is a feminine name with Germanic and Spanish origins. In Germanic contexts, it evolved as a shortened form of names containing the element '-hild' meaning 'battle' or 'conflict,' such as…
