Names that Peaked in 1959

  1. Ricky
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Richard or Frederick
    • Meaning:

      "dominant or peaceful ruler"
    • Description:

      Gone with Richard and Rick, Ricky has been falling since the turn of the 21st century. Probably still suffering from overuse in the 1990s.
  2. Fidel
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "faithful"
    • Description:

      The association with the Cuban leader Castro is still strong, but he's by no means the only Fidel. This name was in the Top 1000 for over 80 years, from 1919 to 2005. From the late Latin name Fidelis, meaning "faithful", at its heart it has an uplifting meaning.
  3. Walt
    • Origin:

      German, diminutive of Walter
    • Description:

      A straightforward, down-to-earth nickname many Walters, from Whitman to Disney, have chosen to go by.
  4. Liane
    • Wally
      • Origin:

        English, diminutive of Walter or Wallace
      • Description:

        A Leave It to Beaver/old comic-strip name, vacationing for years with the Griswolds in WallyWorld, but now back as WALL-E?
    • Yancy
      • Origin:

        American variation of Jansen, Dutch, Native American
      • Meaning:

        "son of Jan; yankee"
      • Description:

        Yancy has two separate American origins — first as the Native American term for "Yankee," and second as the Americanized variation of the common Dutch surname Jansen. Jan being the Dutch form of John, Yancy could work to honor anyone in your life with a John-related name.
    • Terri
      • Origin:

        English, diminutive of Theresa
      • Description:

        See TERRY.
    • Ron
      • Lise
        • Origin:

          Diminutive of Elisabeth, Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "pledged to God"
        • Description:

          Lise is most often found in the U.S. as the second half of the hybrid name Annalise. Canadian journalist Lyse Doucet bears a pretty alternative spelling, pronounced LEESE.
      • Becky
        • Origin:

          Diminutive of Rebecca
        • Description:

          One of those casual down-home names last popular in the 1960s.
      • Bret
        • Origin:

          Spelling variation of Brett
        • Description:

          There are 15 times as many baby boys named Brett than Bret, but this sleeker version is used and has some merits, namely, being sleeker.
      • Nicky
        • Origin:

          Diminutive of Nicholas or Nicole
        • Description:

          Nicky is a forever-cute short form of Nicholas once used as a full name but now relegated to nickname (no pun intended) status.
      • Russ
        • Origin:

          Variation of Russell, French
        • Meaning:

          "redhead, fox-colored"
        • Description:

          Short but substantial, Russ does not need the full-form Russell to go on the birth certificate. Russ strikes a nice balance between familiar, friendly, and underused.
      • Patty
        • Origin:

          Diminutive of Patricia
        • Meaning:

          "patrician"
        • Description:

          Replaced Patsy as the midcentury's popular, peppy babysitter.
      • Andra
        • Origin:

          Variation of Andrea
        • Description:

          Arty seventies name usually pronounced AHN-dra.
      • Tami
        • Timmy
          • Sandi
            • Cyndi
              • Debby