Names that Peaked in 1987

The name of the wife of Alexander the Great, more attractive than the better-known Roxanne. Roxana was first used in the English-speaking world in the 1600s and was popularized by Daniel Defoe's novel Roxana, published in 1724. An underused and attractive possibility and perfect if you're searching for names that mean new beginnings.

One case where a spelling variation improves the name, Britton is used about four times as often as Britain for both genders. Currently, the count of baby Brittons is running at about 4 to 3 in favor of the boys.

Noel, the French word for Christmas has been given to both boys and girls born on that holiday since the Middle Ages. For girls it's often spelled Noelle.

Despite its Irish sound, this commonly used word name has usually been confined to Jewish families.

In the US, Rashad is one of the most popular and best-known Arabic names, through several sports and entertainment celebrities.

Alison by any spelling is now considered more of a mom name than a baby name. It's been trending downward for more than a decade, though it still makes the Top 1000.

The Shakespearean Portia may be a real name, but Porsche is now and forever a car, not a little girl.

Katy, or more popularly Katie, stood fashionably on their own two feet for several years there, during the Katelyn boom. But now both Katy and Katie are fading in favor of grownup Kate or buttoned-up Katherine.

The Ashlee variation of the megapopular 90s favorite Ashley is best-known as the name of Ashlee Simpson, younger sister of Jessica.

Sounds more like a car than a baby name. Some sources related it to the English surname Carter, which would be more stylish these days.

See FELICIA.

The en ending is so fashionable these days, a lot of people prefer it even when the alternative as with Brandon has more heft.

Ashley lost some of her substance.

Briefly faddish a few decades ago when Darrell was cool. But does have a creative connection to poet Randall Jarrell.