Names that Peaked in 1999

The classic Jorge is one of the most popular and classic Spanish names for boys in the US. Some Latine families pronounce it the same way as George.

While Sidney in this spelling has a long history as a girls' name, it fell off the Top 1000 from the early 50s until 1990. Then it reemerged as one of the newly chic androgynous names for girls, rising into the Top 300 before falling off the Top 1000 list again in 2016. Sydney is now the more fashionable form.

This Cameron variation was popularized by actress Camryn Manheim and the character inTwitches of the same name. It also makes it more obviously feminine, which might appeal to some parents, considering the classic Cameron is a Top 100 choice for boys in the US.

Although Ulysses is the more recognizable spelling — the Latin name for epic Greek hero Odysseus, as well as the first name of US President Grant — Spanish Ulises is the more popular choice in the US. Ulises was at its highest in the early 2000s, and has since been on a downswing.

This name of an admired Puerto Rican pop singer has been picked up by hundreds of Hispanic parents.

Synthesized name in the Justin/Dustin mold, but has an unpleasant similarity to the diaper rash ointment called Desitin.

Mexican-born actress Salma Hayek lends a large dollop of glamour to this name that would otherwise resemble the middle-aged Selma.

A fresh Dale relative that finds place amongst similar names like Cullin and Hamelin as well as the more common Allen and Dylan.

Whether you spell it Lisette or Lizette, a somewhat dated diminutive that nevertheless retains some charm.

Kallie is usually used as a nickname for more unusual names like Calliope, Kalliope, and Calendula. We also think this is a fresher alternative to Kelly.

Abbey might sound exactly like the popular Abigail nickname Abby or Abbie, but spelled this way it is also a churchy word name with a Gothic feel. But hearing it, no one will know the difference.

Tatyana, an alternate spelling of the lovely Tatiana, definitely has its followers.

Diamond sparkled all through the nineties--reaching as high as Number 150 in 1999. Although its shine has diminished quite a bit, it remains in use.

One of many takes on the Keira/Kyra concept, this one was chosen by ice-skating champ Kristi Yamaguchi.

With its on-trend K initial, this spelling variation of Cameron gives a nod to the likes of Kashton, Kayden, and Kaizen, while still maintaining the softer sounds and unisex feel of the original Scottish form. Currently in the US Top 500, it is given to around 810 boys each year.

The further you move away from the original Briana, the feminine form of Brian first used by Edmund Spenser in The Faerie Queen, the more invented and less authentic you get. But many parents want the distance from Brian as Breanna -- or Breana or Breeanna or any of the other variations -- feels more like its own name.

Spelling variant Kailee has never been as popular as the y spelling of the name.