Names that Peaked in 1989
Across 3 pages
of 3
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…
Christopher
Greek and Latin
"bearer of Christ"
Christopher derived from the Greek Christophoros, which is composed of the elements Christos , referring to Christ, and phero , meaning "to bear." The name was originally used figuratively, to…
Elliot
English diminutive of Elias, Greek
"Yahweh is God"
Elliot (which boasts several spellings depending upon how many 'l's or 't's you want to use) is a winner -- it has the ideal quality of being neither too common nor weirdly unique. Elliot had a style…
Nico
Italian diminutive of Nicholas, Greek
"people of victory"
Nico is one of the great nickname names, full of charm, energy and effortless cool -- a neo Nick. Nico is commonly heard in Italy -- as a short form of Niccolo -- and also in France, Belgium,…
Lauren
English from Latin
"from Laurentum or bay laurel"
Lauren was derived from Laurence, an English name from the Roman family name Laurentius, meaning "from Laurentum." Laurentum, an ancient Italian city, got its name from the Latin word laurus ,…
Jessica
Hebrew
"behold or wealthy"
When Jennifer finally gave up her Number 1 place on the girls' popularity list, her crown was passed to Jessica, who reigned for not one but two decades. Jessica was the Number 1 name in both the…
Leanna
Spelling variation of Liana; Combination of Lee and Anna
A name that gained some currency through its rhyming relationship to Breanna, though it has been on a downward trend since 1989.
Brittany
English name of the French region Bretagne, meaning 'from Briton'
Brittany first arrived on the US popularity list in 1971, and rapidly zoomed up the charts, in the Top 100 a decade later. By 1986 it had entered the Top 10, becoming the third most popular girls’…
Brittaney
Brittaney is a modern variant spelling of Brittany, a feminine name that originated as a reference to the northwestern region of France known as Bretagne (Brittany). This spelling variation adds a…
Casandra
Casandra is a feminine name variant of Cassandra, which derives from Greek mythology. The original Cassandra was a Trojan princess blessed with the gift of prophecy but cursed so that no one would…
Britni
Britni is a modern feminine name, typically considered a variant spelling of Brittany or Britney. The name derives from the Latin 'Britannia', referring to Great Britain, and became widely recognized…
Cecily
Feminine variation of Cecil
"blind"
Cecily is as dainty as a lace handkerchief. Cecily has a wide assortment of namesakes. One Cecily was the mother of King Richard III, whose beauty gained her the title "the Rose of Raby," Cecily…
Chantelle
Chantelle is a feminine name of French origin, derived from 'chanter' meaning 'to sing.' This melodic name emerged as an elaboration of Chantal, which refers to a stone or rocky place in Old French.…
Christin
Christin is a feminine name variant of Christina, ultimately derived from the Greek word 'christos' meaning 'anointed one.' This streamlined spelling offers a modern twist on the traditional name…
Ashli
Ashli is a feminine name representing a modern spelling variation of Ashley. Originally an Old English surname meaning 'ash tree clearing' or 'meadow of ash trees,' Ashley transitioned to first-name…
Cassondra
Cassondra is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Cassandra, which derives from Greek mythology. The original Cassandra was a Trojan princess blessed with the gift of prophecy but…
Kala
Tamil; Hawaiian
"Virtue; princess"
Britney
Variation of Brittany, English
"from Briton"
This abbreviated spelling, which also relates to Whitney, quickly took on a life of its own, thanks to the megafame of Britney Spears, but it's already beginning to burn out.
Leandra
Feminine variation of Leander, Greek
"lion-man"
With the rise of many once-dated leonine names, from Leona to Lionel to Leonora, Leandra is an unusual choice that might be looking at a comeback..
Brittnee
Brittnee is a feminine name that emerged as a creative spelling variation of Brittany, which originally referred to a region in northwestern France. This particular spelling gained popularity in the…