Names that Peaked in 1973
- Shane
Origin:
Irish variation of Sean or ShannonDescription:
As a boy's name, Shane is related more directly to the 50s movie cowboy and the Irish name Sean; for a girl, it might be a variation on Shannon, Shana, or Shawn. Parenthood star Erika Christensen named her daughter Shane. Another spin, used by Eddie Murphy, is Shayne.
- Stacy
Origin:
Diminutive of AnastasiaDescription:
A key cheerleader in the nickname game of the 1970s, Stacy is now the mom. Consider Stacia, or the original Anastasia.
- Nyree
Origin:
English from MaoriMeaning:
"flaxen"Description:
Anglicized form of Ngaire, this name is sometimes heard in New Zealand and very occasionally in England.
- Stacey
- Kenya
Origin:
Place name, KikuyuMeaning:
"mountain of white"Description:
A bold and evocative African place name. The country of Kenya gets its name from Mount Kenya, referred to it as "Kirinyaga" or "Kerenyaga" by the local Kikuyu people, meaning "mountain of whiteness" due to its snow-capped peak.
- Jamison
Description:
A variation of Jameson. Both names have climbed in popularity in recent years, though Jameson remains the preferred spelling.
- Kenya
Origin:
Place name, KikuyuMeaning:
"mountain of white"Description:
Kenya, a name borrowed from the East African nation and theoretically unisex, is now used mostly for girls. While it's had its ups and downs since entering the US Top 1000 in 1968, it currently ranks lower than spelling variant Kenia.
- Paulo
Origin:
Portuguese, Swedish, and Hawaiian variation of PaulDescription:
Paulo suffers in comparison to the richer and more authentic-sounding Paolo.
- Torrence
Origin:
Scottish habitational surnameMeaning:
"from the hillocks"Description:
Spelling variation Torrance is split fairly evenly between girls and boys, while Torrence is almost entirely male.
- Bridgette
- Jermaine
Origin:
Variation of GermaineMeaning:
"from Germany"Description:
A Jackson brother name also associated with the similar-sounding Jemaine, of Flight of the Conchords fame. It has slowly lost its appeal since its peak years in the 1970s.
- Vashon
- Vonetta
- Tonya
Origin:
Variation of TanyaDescription:
This common variation of Tanya makes it less international and more ordinary.
- Melisa
- Suzanna
Origin:
Variation of SusannaDescription:
Part Susanna, part Suzanne, Suzanna is a smidge less attractive than either of those classic options but still carries some appeal. But you (and your child) WILL be spelling it forever.
- Shonda
- Catrina
- Jasen
- Jenifer