Names that Peaked in 1961

Unlike Jake or Sam, few parents put Mike on the birth certificate.

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.

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.

This once-cool nickname-y name now belongs to the grandma generation.

So far out it's almost ready to be let back in.

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.

In fashion limbo with Anita and Juanita.

Variant of Julian or Julianne