Names that Peaked in 1931

Donal is, yes, just Donald with the final d cut off, but that somehow gives it a jauntier, fresher feel. Donal Logue is a Canadian actor and Donal Skehan is an Irish cookbook author.

As dated as the old Pat Boone song.

One time joke name, à la Lily Tomlin's bossy telephone operator, Ernestine is ready for a possible reevaluation, like cousins Josephine and Clementine..

Roselyn was a frequent member of the US Top 1000 in the early twentieth century until it dropped off the charts in 1954. It didn't return until 2003.

Honoring a male relative. Be bold and go with Glenn.

The name of a character in the once scandalous novel Valley of the Dolls now sounds a little more dated than the similar Arden.

More dramatic, worldly, and energetic spin on Gregory.

This name of a character in Faulkner's As I Lay Dying is short, sweet and Southern-sounding.

Pretty and unusual translation of Bella.

Torquano Tasso likely invented this name for the magical enchantress who beguiles the crusaders in his celebrated poem Jerusalem Delivered. Armida is also the eponymous heroine of a Handel opera.

Bernardine is really driving home its Bernard connection, for better or worse. Bernadine is the usual form of this name.

Even if you're a loyal alumnus, consider something less ultraupright, like Yale or Cal.