Names that Peaked in 1988

  1. Cody
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "helpful, pillow"
    • Description:

      Cody is a once-trendy boys' name occasionally used for girls. The Cody trend has now given way to other nickname-y names such as Rory and Ruby.
  2. Whitley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "white meadow"
    • Description:

      Eighties spin on megapopular Whitney that currently ranks higher than the original. Whitley fell out of the Top 1000 for several decades but resurfaced in 2018.
  3. Bryant
    • Origin:

      Variation of Brian, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "strong, virtuous, and honorable"
    • Description:

      Bryant has a longer history as a first name in the US than its father name Brian, ranking among the Top 1000 since the list began in 1880 while Brian only jumped on in 1925.
  4. Westley
    • Origin:

      Variation of Wesley
    • Meaning:

      "west meadow"
    • Description:

      This variation of Wesley moved into the Top 1000 among boys' names in the US in 2016, perhaps because it makes the name more Western, with the cowboy nickname West., or because parents have taken inspiration from the protagonist of the movie The Princess Bride.
  5. Demarcus
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Meaning:

      "son of Marcus"
    • Description:

      Popular in the African American community, the De- prefix makes this a choice for sons of Marcuses.
  6. Long
    • Origin:

      Chinese and Vietnamese
    • Meaning:

      "dragon"
    • Description:

      An Asian name that may be thought of as an English word name, for better or worse.
  7. Porsha
    • Origin:

      Phonetic variation of Portia or Porsche
    • Description:

      Chosen primarily by coveters of the sleek and spiffy German sports car, which is actually spelled Porsche. The Shakespearean version of the name is Portia. The one advantage of the Porsha spelling, popularized by Real Housewife Porsha Williams, is that is clarifies pronunciation.
  8. Justina
    • Origin:

      Latin, feminine variation of Justin
    • Description:

      Justina was the pre-Justine feminization of Justin, now a possible alternative to Christina. Oddly, while Justine feels like a name unto itself, Justina feels like a pinned-together feminization in the mold of Richarda or Benjamina. Still, it may appeal as one of the unusual-yet-familiar girl names starting with J.
  9. Diandra
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "twice a man"
    • Description:

      Diandra is one of many variations on Diana, but lacks its classic class. Associated with Michael Douglas's first wife, who is of Austrian heritage.
  10. Grecia
    • Deandra
      • Origin:

        Compound name, blending Diana and Alexandra, variation of Deandre
      • Meaning:

        "divine defender of man; person from the valley"
      • Description:

        An alternative spelling to Diandra or a feminine form Deandre, Deandra is a compound name that briefly featured in the US Top 1000 in the 80s.
    • Chaz
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Charles
      • Description:

        The jazziest nickname for Charles.
    • Taja
      • Origin:

        Arabic
      • Meaning:

        "to mention, to name"
      • Description:

        Soft, sultry resonance.
    • Jaclyn
      • Tiara
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "crown, jeweled headdress"
        • Description:

          The perfect name-accessory for a little princess, though its popularity is waning.
      • Kasey
        • Origin:

          Variation of Casey, Irish
        • Meaning:

          "brave in battle"
        • Description:

          Casey-with-a-K never quite reached the heights of the original, but it broke the Top 500 for boys in the late '80s and early '90s.
      • Geraldo
        • Origin:

          Spanish variation of Gerald
        • Description:

          Tightly bound to flamboyant newsman Geraldo Rivera--who was born Gerald..
      • Kasey
        • Origin:

          Variation of Casey, Irish
        • Meaning:

          "brave in battle"
        • Description:

          Kasey was a modestly popular choice among Millennial babies, particularly girls.
      • Kalvin
        • Kory
          • Origin:

            Spelling variation of Cory or Corey
          • Description:

            Corey was always the most popular form of this Irish name, with Cory (as in New Jersey Senator Booker) in second place and Kory riding caboose. Kory et al were in the first wave of unisex names that began to be used in the late 1960s and 1970s, fading now as fresher names such as Rory or Rowan rise.