Names that Peaked in 1887

This name has a nicely fragrant woodsy feel, bringing it into the nature-tree name category. Its only well-known bearer, folk singer and Oscar-winning actor Burl Ives, had the full birth certificate name of Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives — nothing compared to his two siblings named Argola and Lillburn.

Anice and Annis are variations of Agnes that have fallen from use, perhaps because of pronunciation issues. Neither spelling was used for any baby girls in the US in the most recent year counted, though a century ago about 100 girls were called Annis or Anice. Potential pronunciation issues ay keep parents away.

A chic French vintage name on the rise there for both sexes, which would make for an unconventional route to Leo.

The last name of many accomplished people throughout history, from Nobel laureates to U.S. congressmen. The name Gilman was recorded in England since before 1066, and is thought to originate in the French for William, ie Guillaume. Gilman might make an original first or middle name to honor an ancestral William.

A Middle English form of Adalbert (and therefore of Albert), which was the name of several Saxon kings. Nowadays, Ethel plus Bert is not a fashionable sound, but Albert is feeling fresh again.

Clemma is a one-hit wonder, appearing on the US popularity list only once, back in the 19th century. This is one case where the diminutive is not cuter than the proper name.

This spelling of Delilah is disproportionately common among the Amish.

Seldom heard as a first name.

Bert is certainly cuter than any of the possible long forms.