Names that Peaked in 1946

Corliss, eccentric yet well-established, has an independent and artistic air.

It's interesting how names imported to the US from other countries and cultures have fashion cycles of their own. Paulette along with cousins Annette and Claudette were the most fashionable French imports in the middle of the last century, only to sink from sight and be replaced by such current French favorites as Charlotte, Sophie, and Eloise. In general, feminizations of male names have faded in favor of gender-neutral choices, and Paul itself is off its own fashion peak. But Paulette has the same vintage charm as names like Margot and Josephine that are very much a la mode. And far from being extinct, Paulette hits that sweet spot of names that are familiar but not over-used. It was given to about 130 baby girls in the US last year, on par with May, Avalon, Jolee, Liza, and Vivianne. This is three times as many baby girls as were named Paulette in 2000, so while the name may still lie well beneath the Top 1000, it's very much on the way up.

Innocent, sincere, and bright-eyed, and as outdated as its mother name, Gertrude.

Much-used midcentury diminutive, now fallen far from favor even as a middle name.

Androgynous nickname for Veronica, Rhonda or Rona.

Short for Samuel or long for Sam, Sammy is a sweet midcentury nickname name that we can see coming back.

Short and sharp but endearing too, Ruthanne is a combination of two classic names. Briefly popular in the 40s, Ruthanne is still given to around 15 girls each year - and, with Ruthie back on the charts, perhaps it will gain more attention. Ruth-Anne Cunningham, known as RuthAnne, is an Irish singer and songwriter who has worked with JoJo and Britney Spears.