There have been no shortages of Peggys throughout Hollywood, from singers to actresses, models, chefs and even Olympic athletes. Annette Smith (author) from Ocala, Florida on October 23, 2011: Nice to meet you, shea duane! Shirley Temple was adorable, and Dorothy went Somewhere Over the Rainbow to help people forget their troubles. I'm glad you enjoyed reading my hub. Classic All-American Girl Names According to the Social Security Administration, these were some of the most popular female names in the United States in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. What were the top baby names of the 1930s? Top 100 Baby Names in 1930. Looking back to the 1920s, it’s clear the top names for little girls have changed over time, as the list contains choices like Betty, Mildred, Jean, Shirley and Barbara. Mary was the #1 name for all three decades. Thanks for bringing baby naming back to earth. Still, the name Dawn is a beautiful baby name, especially with the stunning imagery it invokes – is there anything more beautiful than watching a sunrise at dawn? Since the dawn of time… okay, just couldn’t resist! Still, there are many others who will be able to see the beauty behind this name, especially since according to Babycenter, it means “noble” in Latin. I grew to love my name and I absolutely HATE it when someone calls me Susan. It hasn’t been nearly as popular as a baby name since the 1950s-1970s but Dawn is still a worthy baby name for a modern baby girl name, especially since it is short and to the point. Nowadays, almost nobody would see it as anything but as a girl’s name. (n.d.) "Depression Era Baby Names. “My mother's name is Janet. According to Baby Center, Yvonne means “archer” in French and has been increasing in popularity since last year. Here are some ideas for you. Along with Elizabeth and Charlotte, other royal names for girls in the US Top 100 include Alice, Amelia, Caroline, Eleanor, Emma, Sarah, Sophia, and Victoria. I think it would be cool to pair it with something a little more modern. We call her Viv or Vivi as a nickname. Not that I dislike the name, it just always baffles me when someone looks at the name Suzanne and pronounces it Susan! While that may come as a surprise to many, it does prove that this name is due for a comeback. Annette Smith (author) from Ocala, Florida on May 27, 2013: Hi, vibesites. Looking at the most popular baby names of the 1930s, you’ll find a combination of once-hot choices that now sound outdated (like Betty and Eugene) and names that a lot of parents are still choosing for their children (shout out to the Catherines and Williams we know). Janet Jackson and Janet van Dyne (Marvel’s Wasp) are the two biggest modern associations that we can attribute to this name. Every mom-to-be envisions her daughter becoming her little princess but picking the perfect name fit for one can seem like an impossible task. Although some may consider Eileen to be the Irish version of Ellen, it’s undoubtedly a name of its own now, which most would never associate to that one. 2. ", SSA. While fewer babies were born during the Depression years, one thing remained constant: the names that Depression-era parents gave their newborn babies. If you are thinking of naming your child with a name beginning with F, this list should provide you with some ideas. Still some, like Elizabeth and Anna, have a little more staying power. 1. Although Charlene is considered to be a form of Charlotte, it’s an association that not many would make anymore. It means “pretty” in Scottish, “sweet” in French, and “beautiful” in Latin, according to She Knows. From simple names like Alice Ann to Alice Ray, it is fairly easy to find a middle name that matches Alice. While classic girl’s names like Margaret, Betty, and Joan were in the top ten 1930s girl names, less traditional monikers were also in the list. Some depression era baby names seem a bit old-fashioned for the 21st century, but others have stood the test of time and are still popular. Included on this list are names used in the middle, as for the little princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Most Popular Baby Names of the 30s During the 1930's, Americans faced the Great Depression with grit and perserverance while President Franklin Roosevelt told them that, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." A proud mom wrote on Baby Name Wizard, “We named our daughter Vivian. According to She Knows, the Donnas of the world love to learn the “deeper truths,” which couldn’t be more fitting of a description for our favorite on-screen character. These old fashioned names are timeless, classic, and cool. Many baby naming sites would have you believe that Robin has lost its edge as a baby name, which is actually all the more reason to pick it! Believe it or not, Beverley used to be a boy’s name way back when. Just like Nancy, there is no way that a compilation of names from the 50s could be compiled without mentioning the #1 most popular name from that decade. A lot of these names were popular due to US presidents and celebrities of the time. A woman with this name wrote on Baby Name Wizard: “I used to hate my first name (Yvonne) as a child, mostly because no one could spell it or say it correctly. Ada Mae: Ada comes from a Germanic word that means “nobility”. babynology from New York on May 25, 2013: I have really enjoyed following article. It also includes the number of occurrences for each name according to SSA data. Rosa is another Orange is the New Black character that is hard to forget but aside from that pop culture association, it’s a beautiful name absolutely worth considering. Here are the most popular American baby names for boys and girls in the 1930s. Classic, old-fashioned names like "Rudy," "Walt," "Felix," and "Silas" are more popular than ever. The TV show references are never-ending and Suits fans wouldn’t be able to resist immediately associating this name to the iconic Donna Paulsen – or should we say The Donna? Love the sound of two-syllable names? My mom always called me Jillie Bean, and my husband does too. Search Belly Ballot to discover the popularity, meanings, and origins of thousands of names from around the world. She was born in the 50's and has a twin sister named Joanne. But that is depression era... so holding on to names that are classic and familiar was still the prevalent choice for parents then. Joan, Margaret, Nancy and Helen round out the top ten. Are you looking for an American baby name for your baby girl or baby boy? Thanks for your comment. Find out the most popular names in 1930 -- among the U.S. population and BabyCenter parents. It’s hard not to immediately find our minds wandering to the infamous Bonnie and Clyde duo, but it’s also a name that has experienced a couple of revivals in recent years through Bonnie on The Vampire Diaries and Bonnie Hawthorne on The Hunger Games. Deposit Photos. Ariah. I have had nothing but positive comments on her name. Stranger Things fans will automatically find their minds gravitating towards the oh-so-strong Nancy Wheeler but even without that TV show, Nancy is in need of a comeback. The 50s is an inspirational decade from which emerged many original baby names that most definitely need to make a comeback in today’s world. Ari. This month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) released its annual list of popular baby names in the United States. I’m up there with you. Barbara is a girl’s name that means “stranger.” While it’s not a Hebrew name, it was popular among Jewish immigrants who came to the U.S. 9. From the Anglo-Saxon tradition, these names are reminiscent of the Founding Fathers and the Gilded Age upper class. V names have long been popular for their strong associations and Vivian is no exception. 8. It is not overused, and I think it ages well. Still a little old fashioned for us (given the names in our little list! A name that was highly popular in the 50’s, Janet actually means “God’s gracious gift,” as per BabyCenter. And few decades have a fantastic crop of names like the retro monikers of the 1920’s, especially for baby girls. George, Thomas and Joseph round out the list of ten most popular boy names of the 1930s. He lost his Bechira, and a Malach forced him. You're welcome, Hyphenbird. It hasn’t been as popular since the 50s but Cheryl is definitely a name that will one day make an official comeback. I appreciate the interest and encouragement! How adorable would a bee-centered baby shower and nursery be? There’s of course the association to the rosemary, the spice but as Ophelia points out in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, rosemary is “for remembrance.”. Showing names from "Charlotte" to "Chloe". We have Denmark to thank for this variation on the name Katherine, which is another wonderful choice that was popular in the 1950s. Retro-Cool, Hipster, Vintage Baby Names for Boys. Looking for the perfect name for your little one? Now, I love my name.”. Discover 100+ preppy-sounding baby names for girls and boys. Like Mary Noelle, Mary Elena, Mary Lauren, Mary Addison, etc.” explained a mom on What To Expect. Pregnancy and parenting news, given to you in a way nobody else has. While it is a traditionally Hispanic name, I could definitely imagine Rosa crossing over and becoming a more mainstream and younger name in the U.S.,” points out a Baby Name Wizard user. The more parents become discouraged from picking it, the more unique it will become. Ruth is a Hebrew name that means “friendship.” Ruth is the heroine of the Book of Ruth, who cares for Naomi, marries Boaz, and becomes an ancestor of King David. Any fan of True Blood might find themselves automatically thinking of the bestselling author Charlaine Harris, it’s actually the alternative spelling Charlene that we are instead pulling from the 50s. In the past, it was very common and traditional to use the kanji character "ko (a child)" at the end of female names. Annette Smith (author) from Ocala, Florida on October 24, 2011: Cultivate Life, it's a pleasure to meet you. I named my children very traditional names, you just can't go wrong with names that stand the test of time. Fans of Bravo’s Real Housewives’ will find it impossible not to think of the spunky Jill Zarin but more interestingly, Jill is a name that means “girl” in BabyCenter. Although many of us instinctively recoil at the sound of names from earlier decades, especially from 1920s-1970s because the names sound too much like a grandmother’s name, there are still lots of great contenders that would be worth reviving now. Many might be surprised that Peggy is actually considered a short form of Margaret, which means "child of light" in Greek, according to BabyCenter. From classic to popular; our baby name lists can help you narrow down your choices. My son is named Jude after St. Jude because we almost lost him. Thanks for stopping by! Looking for names for your baby boy? The meaning is obvious as it refers to the small bird by the same name. The ’30s weren’t dirty, they were golden! Jul 31, 2020 . It is also “derived from the Old French ‘aveline’ meaning hazelnut.”. And others, like Ruby and … So for me, the name Janet implies strength, history, no-nonsense, discipline, hard work, and nostalgia,” confessed a proud daughter to Baby Name Wizard. Sidenote for the non-Suits fans: go binge-watch it now to understand why this name would be downright perfect for an upcoming ruler of the world and hearts. Among all the 50’s names, this is perhaps the one that sounds the most unique to today’s modern world and would certainly make for a unique baby name. Preppy first names tend to be old-fashioned and denote sophistication. Although spelled differently, Vivienne Westwood is a fashion icon that is a great embodiment of strength. According to BabyCenter, it means “light” in French and hasn’t been quite as popular since it started declining in popularity in the 60s. Janet Jackson and Janet van Dyne (Marvel’s Wasp) are the two biggest modern associations that we can attribute to this name. Someone with this name encouragingly wrote on Behind The Name: “My name is Jill, and I have always liked it. These charming names for winter-born babies may inspire you in your quest for a name. 1920 Elizabeth and Anna; 1921 Anna; 1922 Gladis, Elizabeth, and Anna; 1923 Elizabeth; 1925 Elizabeth; 1926 Jean and Maria; 1927 Maria and Shirley; 1928 Maria and Patricia; 1929 Maria, Barbara, and Shirley; Interestingly, a few popular names chosen for the individual years are given to babies today. References: BabyCenter, Baby Name Wizard, She Knows, UpSwingBabyNames, Nameberry, and What To Expect. All things considered, most of us can never find our names on those little trinkets! Many, however, wouldn’t be able to avoid letting their minds stray to remembering Beverly Hills 90210. The following table highlights the top Depression era names for each rank and gender. A name holds reverence and meaning in many African cultures. Discover 100+ preppy-sounding baby names for girls and boys. Ruth. Forget Suzanne ‘Crazy Eyes’ from Orange is the New Black and truly consider the beautiful name Suzanne for your upcoming precious little bundle of joy. (April 22, 2011.) Thank you for sharing your thoughts here with us. Annette Smith (author) from Ocala, Florida on May 25, 2013: I am happy you enjoyed my article! Do not let your name wander to Jane of the Jungle. Eileen or Elaine? As a baby girl name, Vivian means “full of life,” according to BabyCenter. 1. Choosing a name for your new baby is not always an easy task. A woman with this name offered the most perfect explanation as to why her name is the best writing on Baby Name Wizard, “I figure that my parents gave me an extraordinary name- why go by an ordinary Rose or Mary.”, According to BabyCenter, Rosemary means “dew of the sea” or “bitter rose of the sea” in Latin. What are your thoughts on Depression Era baby names? 103. “Almost all the Peggys I have known have had a fun personality. With that being said, forget Cheryl Cole for a moment and truly consider Cheryl for your little girl, especially since it means “beloved” in German, according to BabyCenter. Throughout the decades, Jo has been short for lots of names such as the popular name from the 50s Jo-Ann, along with Josephine, Jolene and of course the boys’ names Jonathan, Joseph, and countless others. Comprehensive list of baby names beginning with Z, including currently popular names, historically popular names, celebrity names and names from around the world. On another positive note, Cinderella premiered in 1950 and helped save Disney. Not only was Mary one of the most popular names in the 1880s but it’s also a name that experienced a surge of popularity in the 20s and then continued to be popular in the 1950s. As a first name, Beverly is scarce among today’s babies, but was prevalent for a few decades.”, Also adding, “It’s that V, a now stylish letter, found in modern powerhouses, Ava, Olivia, and Evelyn that makes Beverly an unexpectedly fashionable choice.”, Can’t get enough of Top Chef and have been watching all the seasons religiously for over a decade? This means that almost 750,000 American parents chose it for their baby girls. Name Number Name Number; 1: Robert: 590,771: Mary: 572,976: 2: James: 547,442: Betty: 300,391: 3: John: 487,912: Barbara: 296,407: 4: William: 416,700: Shirley: 229,365: 5: Richard: 330,470: Patricia: 220,578: 6: Charles: 303,197: Dorothy: 210,409: 7: Donald: 283,685: Joan: 173,432: 8: George: 192,277: Margaret: 157,367: 9: Thomas: 183,870: Nancy: 142,483: 10: Joseph: 180,557: Helen: 140,419: 11: David… At its core, Gail is an English baby name that means “lively.”. Leave a comment below and join the discussion. Her personality is actually quite fitting of her name, since as She Knows explains, people named Gail tend to make excellent mediators and have great sympathy for others. If you're expecting a baby girl, consider these beautiful names from Africa. According to the United States Social Security Administration (SSA), the top baby names remained stable during the 1930s. 1000 Most Popular Names of the 1920s top baby names of the decades. As BabyCenter points out, Jane means “God is gracious” in Hebrew, which is a particularly fitting name for anyone looking for a more religious-kind of name. Well they could try anyways, but the task would prove difficult. You will also have the satisfaction of knowing that no kid on the playground will be able to twist your little girl’s name into something ugly. Brenda Barnes from America-Broken But Still Beautiful on October 23, 2011: Not an "Apple", "CoCo", or "OrangeAda" in the bunch. They were followed by Richard, Charles, and Donald. In the 2000s, the name Jill dropped in popularity as suddenly as it broke the top 100 list in 1957. 21 21 Jewish Girl Names List (A-Z) - Page 2 - from "Anai" to "Ardeth" Ardith. Serving up the hottest food trends and the inside scoop on restaurants worldwide. By Life and Luxury. Here are 19 female names popular in the Jazz Age that are making a comeback. Martin's popular A Song of Ice and Fire books and Game of Thrones TV show are a treasure trove of strong and unusual baby names for boys. So, what did Depression-era parents name their children? It's cute! Great Hub! PS my mother's brothers were Robert and John. Search Belly Ballot to discover the popularity, meanings, and origins of thousands of names from around the world. By reading are Hina, Yui, and Donald or baby boy names of the 1930. Its core, gail is an English baby name trends come and go, but they not... October 23, 2011: Nice to meet you, shea duane be hard not to immediately think the... 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