Dad Names: Is Yours On The List?

Updated Sun Jun 16 2024

Happy Fathers’ Day! To celebrate, we’re talking all things Dad Names.

Dad Names are boy names that peaked in popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. They're most likely to be found on men in their twenties and thirties, the biggest age group for new fathers.

It's a group with blurry edges. Of course there are some recent dads named Richard and Robert, Mason and Theodore, but these names are more strongly tied to different generations.

And there are some enduring classics that we can’t pin them down to any age at all — generationally neutral, you might say. Thousands of new fathers are named James and William, but so too are thousands of children and grandpas.

Do you have a Dad Name? Or are you considering one for your kid? Read on for 80+ names that peaked 25-40 years ago, putting them in Definite Dad Territory.

Today's Dad Names

All these boy names were at the height of their in popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. We're not saying you can't use them now — some are still in the Top 100 — but statistically, they're most common on young-to-middle-aged men. How many are dads you know?

To complete the picture, below are the most popular boy names of the 1980s and 1990s, and others that peaked in critical years.

Top Boy Names of the 1980s

The most popular boy names in the 1980s were mainly biblical, saintly and royal classics that could be shortened to everyman nicknames — which is why you know so many men called Matt, Chris and Joe. The top ten 1980s names for boys were:

Names that peaked in 1984

In 1984, parents were loving cowboy surname Cassidy, the French sounds of Andre and Antwon, and Marcus in various forms. Dustin Hoffman and Mike Tyson were at the height of their fame, and inspired namesakes. Dads born in this year are 40 now.

Names that peaked in 1989

At the end of the 1980s, respellings of popular names, like Arron and Nickolas, were at their height, as well as names ending in -ell — and starting with it, like Elliot. Dads born in this year are now turning 35.

Top Boy Names of the 1990s

The top 1990s names for boys had much in common with the 1980s, but some traditional classics were replaced by with next-generation biblical names like Jacob, as well as surname-style Tyler.

Names that peaked in 1994

The list for names at peak popularity this year is much longer, reflecting that the baby name pool was becoming more diverse, with a fast turnover in names rising and falling. This was a peak year for Skyler and Tyler, and classic Aaron and Zachary. Names with a Da- or De- prefix, popular with Black Americans, were at their height. Dads born in 1994 celebrate their 30th birthday this year.

Names that peaked in 1999

Popular names in the last year of the century included Spanish classics like Carlos and Juan, names beginning with Max, Ty, and a Br- sound. It was also a peak year for TV character names Dawson and Chandler. Younger dads born in this year are now 25.

So are Dad Names usable today? Most still rank in the popularity charts, some even still in the Top 100. They're as familiar and comfortable as a pair of dad jeans, and in today's classrooms they'll actually stand out among all the Liams and Noahs.

But if you want a name that’s fresh, cool, and not likely to be shared with your kid’s teacher/sports coach/boss, you may want to avoid Dad Names. Wait a few decades, and they’ll be vintage and trendy again by the time your great-grandchildren are born.

About the Author

Clare Green

Clare Green has been writing for Nameberry since 2015, covering everything from names peaking right now to feminist baby names, and keeping up-to-date with international baby name rankings. Her work has featured in publications such as The Independent and HuffPost. Clare has a background in linguistics and librarianship, and recently completed an MA dissertation researching names in multilingual families. She lives in England with her husband and son. You can reach her at clare@nameberry.com