Top 1960s Baby Names
- Tony
Origin:
Diminutive of AnthonyMeaning:
"priceless one"Description:
Tony, as in classy. Or To-nyyy, as yelled out a tenement window.
- Lori
Origin:
English spelling variation of Laurie; diminutive of LauraMeaning:
"bay laurel"Description:
Sixties babysitter.
- Cheryl
Origin:
Modern invented name, variation of Cherie, FrenchMeaning:
"darling"Description:
As frozen in the pre-Beatles era as short white gloves.
- Randy
Origin:
Diminutive of Randall, RandolphDescription:
Ever since Austin Powers enlightened Americans that "randy" meant "horny," it's been hard to take this name seriously, and Randy has declined in popularity since.
- Paula
Origin:
Feminine variation of PaulMeaning:
"small"Description:
Paula still seems somewhat stuck in the era of duo Paul and Paula bopping out the song "Hey, Paula." Two pronunciations are possible—the English "PAW-la" and the Portuguese "POW-la."
- Debbie
Origin:
Short form of Deborah or DebraMeaning:
"bee"Description:
The quintessential friendly fifties name, nearly epidemic in its day. Now many grownup Debbies have reverted to the full and lovely form of their name, which modern parents often avoid because of the name Debbie ringing too loudly in their ears.
- Gary
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"spearman"Description:
When Gary cracked the Top 10 in 1950, it was one of the first nonclassic boys’ names to do so, largely due to Gary (born Frank) Cooper, who was renamed after Gary, Indiana, his agent's hometown. Now, a 65 years later, Gary isn't particularly high in the charts, and has lost any glitter it had. May we suggest the fuller name Gareth?
- Jerry
Origin:
Diminutive of Gerald or JeromeDescription:
Rapidly declining in popularity, as most Jerrys have their AARP cards.
- Jeff
Origin:
Diminutive of Jeffrey, JeffersonMeaning:
"pledge of peace"Description:
The ultimate dad name.
- Kim
Origin:
English diminutive of Kimberly; Vietnamese; Scandinavian diminutive of Joachima; Soviet nameDescription:
Kim was the coolest name... of the 1960s. Kim was popularized by actress Kim Novak, and its energy is still maintained by rapper Lil' Kim, but it holds lil' or no appeal for new babies. Parents who like Kim's short, sweet sound might look to a choice such as Sam, Lou, or Belle.
- Troy
Origin:
Greek, FrenchMeaning:
"of Troyes"Description:
Troy shot to popularity as a first name in tandem with that of 1960s heartthrob Troy (born Merle) Donahue; its image has now, thanks in part to the Brad Pitt-starring epic, Troy, receded back to conjuring up the ancient site of the Trojan wars.
- Terry
Origin:
Diminutive of TerenceDescription:
One of the first breakaway unisex baby names, Terry, used independently since the days of Terry and the Pirates, is still used for boys though it's faded away for girls.
- Tracy
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"of Thracia"Description:
In the Top 25 in the unisex seventies, these days Tracy would more likely be Gracie.
- Mike
Origin:
English, diminutive of MichaelDescription:
Unlike Jake or Sam, few parents put Mike on the birth certificate.
- Debra
Origin:
Spelling variation of DeborahMeaning:
"bee"Description:
When Deborah seemed too formal in the laid-back sixties, Debra stepped in as a pared-down alternative, but the pendulum is about to swing back.
- Laurie
Origin:
English, diminutive of LauraMeaning:
"bay laurel"Description:
Morphed into the more streamlined Lori in the sixties, now feels dated for a girl in either spelling. Update Lauren has been renovated as Laurel or Laura itself.
- Ricky
Origin:
Diminutive of Richard or FrederickMeaning:
"dominant or peaceful ruler"Description:
Gone with Richard and Rick, Ricky has been falling since the turn of the 21st century. Probably still suffering from overuse in the 1990s.
- Jeffery
Origin:
Spelling variation of JeffreyDescription:
Jeffery is common enough to be an accepted variation but not common enough to be the one you should choose. Nonetheless, this spelling has charted since the early-twentieth century, much like its brother name.
- Kathy
Origin:
Diminutive of Katherine and KathleenMeaning:
"pure"Description:
There are lots of Kathy moms and grandmas but very few babies, most of whom are now called Kate or Katie.
- Michele
Origin:
Feminine variation of MichaelMeaning:
"who is like God"Description:
Onetime superstar name (Number 4 in the seventies) that's now in steep decline. Today's feminine is more likely to be some form of Michaela...or Makayla.