Names that Peaked in 1961

  1. Babette
    • Origin:

      French, diminutive of Barbara
    • Description:

      A less common relic of the Claudette-Paulette-Annette era.
  2. Dwayne
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Duane
    • Meaning:

      "swarthy"
    • Description:

      This is an offshoot of Duane, which is an old Irish surname. It took off in the 1960s, when it conveyed a surfer boy image, and reached as high as Number 111 in 1961. The most prominent current bearer is Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The basketball superstar spells his name DwYAne Wade.
  3. Chris
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Christina
    • Meaning:

      "a Christian"
    • Description:

      Chris is one of the longest-running and still most appealing unisex short forms, still used nearly equally for boys and girls. Though no longer fashionable, Chris still feels crisp and appropriate for both sexes.
  4. Liz
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth
    • Description:

      A girl named Liz on her birth certificate could feel deprived of her full identity. Call her Liz, but name her Elizabeth -- or at least Lizbeth or Eliza.
  5. Shari
    • Origin:

      Anglicized variation of Hungarian Sari, variation of Sarah
    • Meaning:

      "princess"
    • Description:

      This once-cool nickname-y name now belongs to the grandma generation.
  6. Chuck
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Charles
    • Description:

      So far out it's almost ready to be let back in.
  7. Mitch
    • Greg
      • Benita
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "blessed"
        • Description:

          In fashion limbo with Anita and Juanita.
      • Juliann
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "youthful or sky father"
        • Description:

          Variant of Julian or Julianne
      • Les
        • Juli
          • Lorri
            • Lauri
              • Jacki
                • Loria
                  • Cherri