Names that Peaked in 1925
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- June
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"young"Description:
June, a sweetly old-fashioned month name derived from the goddess Juno, was long locked in a time capsule with June Allyson (born Ella) and June Cleaver, but is rising again especially as a middle name.
- Mary
Origin:
Hebrew or EgyptianMeaning:
"drop of the sea; bitter; beloved; love"Description:
Mary is the English form of Maria, which ultimately was derived from the Hebrew name Maryam/Mariam. The original meaning of Maryam is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).
- Dorothy
Origin:
English variation of Greek DorotheaMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
In the 1930s, Dorothy left Kansas and landed in the Land of Oz; by the '80s she had become a Golden Girl, living in Miami with roommates Blanche and Rose, giving her a decidedly older image. But parents today seeking a quiet classic are bringing Dorothy back—she reentered the Top 1000 in 2011 after almost completely disappearing.
- Robert
Origin:
English from GermanMeaning:
"bright fame"Description:
Robert was the Number 1 boys' name in the US in both 1925 and 1950, and in fact was in the Top 25 for more than a century, giving it true classic status. Strong if not quite stylish, Robert remains in the Top 100 for baby boys as a family favorite.
- Roland
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"famous throughout the land"Description:
Roland is a chivalrous old name made famous by the supposedly eight-foot-tall romantic hero and nephew of Charlemagne, celebrated in medieval poetry and song. It is more widely heard in the US now in its Spanish form, Rolando. You might want to consider rollicking short form Rollo, either on its own or as an abbreviation of Roland. Orlando is the graceful Italian form.
- Marcel
Origin:
French variation of MarcellusMeaning:
"little warrior"Description:
Marcel, despite distinguished namesakes including Proust and Duchamp, suffers from a terminal headwaiter image in this country. But along with its sister name Marcella and French variation (and Jolie-Pitt pick) Marcheline, Marcel may be on the brink of a style renaissance.
- Vito
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"alive, life"Description:
Old World Italian name that might become fashionable in a so-far-out-it's-in way, like Enzo and Rocco. Main recommendation: It's among the rare boy names that mean life.
- Denver
Origin:
English or French place-name and surnameMeaning:
"from Anvers"Description:
Before there was Aspen, Denver was the Colorado city name of choice, and it reentered the US Top 1000 in 2015 after a 14 year absence as a stylish two-syllable boys’ name with its trendy -er ending. Its decade of greatest use was the 1920s, when it reached as high as Number 422.
- Gloria
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"glory"Description:
Gloria is beginning to move beyond its de-glamorized Grandma image, most recently thanks to glamorous young Hollywood parents Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard, who chose it for their second daughter. Gyllenhaal was quoted as saying they had been inspired by Patti Smith's rendition of the Van Morrison song "Gloria" at a concert and thought " 'We'll name our daughter that one day'."
- Blossom
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"to bloom"Description:
Now that parents have picked virtually every name in the garden, from the common Rose to the captivating Zinnia, some are reconsidering the old, more generic names like Flora and Posy and Blossom — which was last in favor in the 1920s and still has a Floradora showgirl aura.
- Wilma
Origin:
Diminutive of WilhelminaMeaning:
"resolute protection"Description:
In the US, Wilma is appears to be eternally fossilized in Bedrock as Fred Flintstone's wife, but in Sweden it's a Top 10 hottie. It did have its moment in the US--from 1912 to 1940 it was a Top 100 name. One notable namesake: track and field star Wilma Rudolph.
- Delfina
Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of DelphineDescription:
The Spanish and Italian variation of the sophisticated French Delphine is also the word for "dolphin". A popular choice in Uruguay and Argentina, the name is rarely used in the US.
- Junior
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"young"Description:
The line should end with Junior Soprano. While most would expect this to be a nickname rather than an actual given name, Junior has always ranked in the US Top 1000, hitting its peak in 1925 at Number 116.
- Burton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"fortified enclosure"Description:
Prissy, no matter how you spell it.
- Alfreda
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"elf power,"Description:
With a meaning like "elf power," Alfreda could find some appeal among fantasy enthusiasts. "Freda" makes for a pleasant nickname.
- Gene
Origin:
Short form of Eugenia, feminine of Eugene, GreekMeaning:
"wellborn, noble"Description:
Jean is primed to rise again – particularly in the middle slot. So could Gene follow suit?
- Ardelle
- Concha
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"shell"Description:
The Spanish word for "shell" is a new addition to the quickly growing list of ocean-inspired nature names.
- Lavera
- Domenick