Names are known to go in and out of style.
Some names maintain their hold for generations, while for others, fame is fickle.
1953-1955: There’s something about Mary (and Robert)
The 1950s were all about tradition.
All of the most popular names in these years have centuries of history behind them.
It remained in the top five, while its spelling variationDebrajumped up to number two.
The name Deborah was so popular that it was even occasionallyused as a male namein this period.
While Debra peaked in popularity in the 1950s, its reign was brief.
Rarely used before 1934, Debrais seldom seen today, with parents preferring the more traditional spelling of Deborah.
Karen, a Danish variation of the name Katherine,started gaining prominencein the U.S. in the 1930s.
From there, it kept growing in popularity.
At the height of its fame, the feminine name was also sometimes given to boys.
1959-1960: Oh, Donna
In 1959,Donnabroke into the top five names for girls.
The only new name in the rankings wasLisa, which came in at number two for girls that year.
By 1962, Lisa overtook Mary as the most popular girls name, a position it held until 1969.
1965: Kimberly catches on
By 1965, the grip of traditional names was starting to loosen.
The top boys names remained unchanged, butMichellebecame a beloved name for baby girls.
Michelle is the feminine form ofMichel, the French variation of Michael.
Mary, which had spent decades in the top five, was finally overthrown.
Karen also fell off the list.
The two names were replaced withJenniferandMelissa.
1970: Amy aims for the top
Melissa’s time in the top five was short lived.
By 1970, the name was replaced withAmy.
The name Amy comes from the French word aimee, meaning “beloved.”
The name was also used as a boys name during this time period, but failed to gain traction.
Popular names for boys remained the same in 1970, but that would soon change.
The name had been gaining traction for a few years, entering the top 10 in 1967.
It didn’t enterthe top 100names until 1966, but then quickly moved up the ranks.
The first,Heather, entered at number four.
The name is the English word for a jot down of flowery shrub.
The other name to emerge that year was Angela, a feminine variation of the gender neutral nameAngel.
Notable Angelas in this time period were actressAngela Lansbury, and activistAngela Davis.
At its most popular, the name was uncommonly used as a masculine name, but that was short-lived.
1979: Amanda’s debut
This romantic name debuted at number three in 1979.
The nameAmandais the Latin word for “lovable” or “worthy of love.”
Its rise in popularity displaced James in the rankings.
Matthew’s popularity has stood the test of time.
Its addition to the top five was part of an emerging trend of “A” names.
That’s over 30 years of staying power!
It comes from the Hebrew Daniyyel, meaning “God is my judge.”
By 1988, it had been replaced byAndrew, another name that can be found in the Bible.
Its root word, andreios, translates to “manly.”
The name comes from a region of France.
Its use as a given name is a recent one, dating back only to the 1970s.
There was also a new name on the girls list:Samantha.
The magic seems to have extended to naming preferences.
The name was originally a last name, which slowly gained usage as a given name.
That year also saw a new name on the girls list:Emily.
The female version of the nameEmil, it replaced Brittany in the top five.
Jessica, Ashley, Sarah, and Samantha remained popular in the rankings.
