Most popular baby names in the final 100 years

Names have power.

Numerous studies accept shown that names can impact a person's level of career success along with their likelihood of getting a job. There take also been cases where judges have had to legally arbitrate and prevent attempted proper noun changes on the grounds of corruption, confusion, or simply being too bizarre.

Stacker combed through Social Security Administration information, examining births from 1920 to 2019 (near recent data), and the respective names given to newborns. All names are from Social Security bill of fare applications for births within the U.S., and the top 50 for each gender are ranked according to their popularity within the total births over the past 100 years.

Whether a child is named in award of a grandparent, a fictional character, or merely because a chosen moniker sounds pretty, that option remains with that person for the rest of their life, curt of an official name change. No affair how arbitrary, our given names resonate as meaning components of our identities.

Keep reading to discover the most popular baby names in the last 100 years—and if yours made the cut.

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#fifty. Jerry (boys)

- Babies born in the last century: 602,696
- 2019 popularity rank: #676 (377 babies born)
- Peak year: 1947

Peradventure the multitude of famous Jerrys, from Seinfeld to a certain mischievous mouse, take contributed to the popularity of this beloved name. Jerry has somewhat fallen from grace—at that place were more than 17,000 infant Jerrys in 1943 and just 488 in 2017.

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#l. Virginia (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 531,894
- 2019 popularity rank: #537 (567 babies born)
- Summit twelvemonth: 1922

The popularity of the proper name Virginia may be linked to the state'south crucial part in American history. When the English began colonizing North America in the belatedly 16th century, Virginia covered more expanse than the state's mod boundaries and was named such in honor of "The Virgin Queen," Elizabeth I of England.

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#49. Dennis (boys)

- Babies born in the terminal century: 611,319
- 2019 popularity rank: #552 (506 babies built-in)
- Tiptop year: 1952

Modern-mean solar day Dennises have a long name lineage with varied cultural touchstones. The proper noun's Greek origin is "Dionysios," which refers to a follower of the god of wine and revelry, Dionysos. The name is too continued to St. Denis, a third-century martyr—not to mention the titular grapheme from the archetype Goggle box serial "Dennis the Menace" that ran from 1959 to 1963.

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#49. Janet (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 541,277
- 2019 popularity rank: #1,696 (122 babies born)
- Peak year: 1954

The proper name Janet was originally inspired past a shorter version of the name Jane, which itself comes from the French for Jehanne. From early Hollywood starlets Janet Gaynor and Janet Leigh to vocalist-songwriter Janet Jackson, Janets accept been making amusement headlines for the terminal century.

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#48. Jack (boys)

- Babies born in the final century: 637,347
- 2019 popularity rank: #nineteen (ix,349 babies built-in)
- Peak year: 1927

Historically and in sociology, Jack is frequently used to represent a charming, clever, if not slightly off-kilter grapheme—in that location's Jack Frost, Jack of "Jack and Jill," Jack with his infamous beanstalk, and fifty-fifty Capt. Jack Sparrow. The proper name tends to represent the success of the common man, although of course has been lent to some darker figures similar Jack the Ripper, also.

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#48. Carolyn (girls)

- Babies born in the concluding century: 542,250
- 2019 popularity rank: #940 (279 babies born)
- Peak year: 1947

The popularity of Carolyn steadily increased throughout the 1930s, rocketing from the #41 spot in girl baby names in 1933 to #10 in 1942. From in that location, still, its enshroud began to decrease once once again. Carolyn was ranked as 841st in 2017. Well-known Carolyns include actor Carolyn McCormick ("Law and Society," "You Know my Name") and Carolyn Cassady, an American author who was married to Neal Cassady and was a major character in Jack Kerouac'due south classic memoir "On the Road."

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#47. Patrick (boys)

- Babies born in the concluding century: 663,725
- 2019 popularity rank: #206 (1,870 babies built-in)
- Meridian year: 1964

Saint Patrick himself was vastly responsible for both the Christianization of Ireland and bringing the proper noun Patrick into vogue. Notwithstanding, the name was not used much on the Emerald Island before the 17th century, as it was seen every bit "too sacred for everyday use."

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#47. Rachel (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 546,309
- 2019 popularity rank: #191 (i,529 babies born)
- Acme year: 1985

A name is truly part of the cultural zeitgeist when information technology's linked to a item hairstyle, but the name Rachel far outdates Jennifer Aniston'due south lovely locks on "Friends." Rachel was a biblical figure, appearing in Genesis every bit the wife of Jacob, and mother of Joseph and Benjamin.

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#46. Alexander (boys)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 666,982
- 2019 popularity rank: #xi (11,230 babies born)
- Peak year: 1993

Early popularity of Alexander can nigh certainly be traced back to Alexander the Great, the Macedonian ruler who established one of the largest empires of the ancient world. The name remains dearest and for several years throughout the 1990s, nearly 1% of male babies took the name Alexander. In 2019, the name did not scissure the top 10 but was still a adequately common pick.

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#46. Debra (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 548,279
- 2019 popularity rank: #3,068 (52 babies built-in)
- Peak year: 1955

Debra, a variant of the name Deborah, has strong Jewish origins. In Hebrew, "devorah" translates to "bee," and Deborah is also the name of a Volume of Judges figure in the Former Attestation, who leads the Israelites to prophylactic away from the Canaanites. Deborah was later adopted by the English.

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#45. Raymond (boys)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 679,913
- 2019 popularity rank: #328 (1,011 babies built-in)
- Acme year: 1924

Though in that location are still new Raymonds being built-in in the U.S., the name reached its elevation of popularity several decades ago. It was the 15th most popular babe name in 1918 and held a ranking shut to that for several years. By 1949, Raymond was ranked #thirty for boy'south names and generally continued to fall from there.

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#45. Catherine (girls)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 550,466
- 2019 popularity rank: #243 (i,299 babies born)
- Elevation year: 1956

Catherine has lost popularity by a slim margin to a very similar-looking cousin: Katherine. However, Catherines everywhere tin can have solace in the fact that they accept more than than one legendary effigy amongst their group; for example, Catherine of Aragon and Catherine the Great. While the latter Russian empress is oftentimes remembered for her romantic activeness, she also organized the coup that brought her to power.

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#44. Gregory (boys)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 706,987
- 2019 popularity rank: #390 (798 babies born)
- Tiptop year: 1962

Gregory stems dorsum to Greek roots, with the proper noun itself indicating watchfulness. The name has also belonged to many a pope, get-go with Gregory I, who was ordinarily known as Saint Gregory the Great and is considered a founding figure of the medieval papacy.

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#44. Christine (girls)

- Babies built-in in the final century: 563,333
- 2019 popularity rank: #922 (285 babies born)
- Meridian yr: 1952

It likely comes every bit no surprise that Christine comes from Christian origins. The name'due south meaning, with Latin roots, is commonly understood as "follower of Christ." The popularity of this name was highest in 1952 but has fallen since.

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#43. Frank (boys)

- Babies born in the last century: 707,244
- 2019 popularity rank: #403 (768 babies born)
- Superlative year: 1918

Frank about certainly falls into the category of simple, classic boys names that in one case experienced a boom simply have taken a dive in popularity in contempo years. However, there's a chance that Frank could come back in a slightly different course. In 2018, Today noted that a vintage naming trend was on its manner back: using adolescent nicknames such equally Frankie for girls.

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#43. Ruth (girls)

- Babies born in the concluding century: 563,391
- 2019 popularity rank: #231 (1,335 babies born)
- Peak twelvemonth: 1920

Ruth has one of the earliest peak years of any name on this listing, having reached its apex in 1920. The proper name has biblical roots, but the near notable modern-24-hour interval Ruth is likely Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was born in 1933 and served equally associate justice of the Supreme Court.

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#42. Samuel (boys)

- Babies born in the final century: 710,086
- 2019 popularity rank: #22 (9,237 babies built-in)
- Summit yr: 2001

Samuel, a proper name with extensive historical origins, has consistently ranked in the 21st century every bit one of the most-favored name choices for babe boys. Samuel is originally derived from the Hebrew name Shemuel. Important historical figures bearing this name include Samuel the Prophet, a revered effigy in Judaism.

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#42. Emma (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 570,150
- 2019 popularity rank: #2 (17,102 babies born)
- Elevation year: 2003

Though the origin of the name Emma dates back earlier than the 18th century, the rise of its popularity may be connected to the 1709 Matthew prior poem called "Henry and Emma." Of course, Jane Austen's "Emma," published in 1815, probably didn't hurt either. The name striking its peak in 2003—one year subsequently Rachel and Ross named their daughter Emma on "Friends."

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#41. Benjamin (boys)

- Babies born in the final century: 730,425
- 2019 popularity rank: #7 (12,942 babies built-in)
- Summit year: 1989

The name Benjamin comes from the Hebrew name Binyamin, which translates to "son of the south." Benjamin has made a strong showing in recent years, increasing in popularity from the #22 most pop baby name in 2010.

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#41. Katherine (girls)

- Babies built-in in the terminal century: 574,858
- 2019 popularity rank: #121 (2,431 babies built-in)
- Peak year: 1990

The proper name Katherine has Greek origins and translates to "pure." Famous Katherines, both real and otherwise, include Katherine of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" and actress Katherine Heigl.

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#40. Brandon (boys)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 759,155
- 2019 popularity rank: #140 (ii,671 babies born)
- Peak yr: 1992

Throughout England, Brandon is the proper name of several small towns and parishes. There are Brandons located in Warwickshire, Suffolk, and elsewhere. The significant, derived from the One-time English "brom" and "dun," translates closely to "the hill where broom grows."

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#40. Samantha (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 576,029
- 2019 popularity rank: #80 (three,351 babies built-in)
- Peak year: 1990

In the decade leading up to Samantha's acme popularity yr, Molly Ringwald played Samantha "Sam" Baker in the 1984 film "Sixteen Candles" and Samantha of immense American Daughter Doll fame was initially released in 1986. From 2000 to 2019, Samantha fell from #7 to #80 on the list of most popular girl baby names in the U.Due south.

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#39. Scott (boys)

- Babies born in the last century: 769,663
- 2019 popularity rank: #527 (536 babies built-in)
- Summit year: 1971

The name Scott, unsurprisingly, has a centuries-long Scottish history. Early on records of Scott as a last name date dorsum to the 12th century in Roxburgh, Scotland. However, there is as well show of the Erstwhile English language word "scotti" denoting Gaels whose conquered land (in the fifth century and earlier) eventually became Scotland.

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#39. Nicole (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 588,265
- 2019 popularity rank: #228 (ane,355 babies born)
- Peak yr: 1985

Like neon spandex and large, permed pilus, Nicole goes hand-in-paw with the 1980s. The name remained close to the top-ten most popular girl names from 1978 to 1988. During the absolute peak of Nicole mania, more than than 1% of female babies born were given the proper name.

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#38. Justin (boys)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 777,285
- 2019 popularity rank: #155 (two,516 babies born)
- Height year: 1988

Between 1971 and 1972, the proper noun Justin saw a massive increase in popularity amongst babe boys, climbing from #103 to #60. Though the best twelvemonth for Justin was 1988, in which it was the 17th near pop boys proper noun, Justin was solidly in the acme 100 boys names every unmarried year from 1972 to 2014. Of course, ii of the most prominent Justins today were born within this time frame—Justin Bieber, in 1994, and Justin Timberlake, in 1981.

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#38. Pamela (girls)

- Babies born in the terminal century: 592,694
- 2019 popularity rank: #ane,496 (145 babies born)
- Acme yr: 1954

The U.South. Social Security website's records of Pamela finish in 2011, during which in that location were just 266 niggling Pams brought into the earth. However, during the 1950s, Pamela was quite a popular name. One of the primeval usages of the name occurred in the 16th century, in Sir Philip Sidney's "The Countess of Pembroke'southward Arcadia."

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#37. Larry (boys)

- Babies born in the concluding century: 802,430
- 2019 popularity rank: #757 (311 babies built-in)
- Peak year: 1947

Larry was originally shorthand for Lawrence or Laurence. Larry reached its height of popularity in the 1940s, and was most popular in 1947—the year comedian Larry David was born. Other famous Larrys include TV and radio host Larry King, born in 1933, and basketball player Larry Bird, built-in in 1956.

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#37. Brenda (girls)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 606,286
- 2019 popularity rank: #1,069 (235 babies born)
- Peak year: 1957

Brenda saw sustained popularity throughout the mid-20th century. Though the exact origin of this name is up for speculation, some estimate it may be linked to the Old Norse word "brandr," pregnant "sword." Vocalizer Brenda Lee get-go gained national fame as a child in 1956 when she appeared on ABC's "Ozark Jubilee"—the twelvemonth earlier the name striking tiptop popularity.

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#36. Stephen (boys)

- Babies born in the last century: 840,005
- 2019 popularity rank: #311 (i,084 babies built-in)
- Acme twelvemonth: 1952

Similar another pair on this list (Catherine and Katherine), Stephen and Steven are in a bit of a boxing. Unfortunately for the "p" contingent nationwide, it's the other spelling that has maintained a niggling more consistent popularity. But information technology's non all bad news—Stephen was pop throughout the center of the 20th century, and gets to claim quite a few famous namesakes.

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#36. Anna (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 629,400
- 2019 popularity rank: #63 (three,807 babies built-in)
- Meridian twelvemonth: 1918

Anna has been i of the about consistently well-liked names of the past century. In 1900, Anna was the third near pop baby girl proper name in the country, and the lowest information technology ever dipped since and then was to 106th place, in 1971.

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#35. Jonathan (boys)

- Babies born in the last century: 844,121
- 2019 popularity rank: #64 (v,418 babies born)
- Peak year: 1988

Jonathans have maintained their place in the top 100 about popular boys names every yr from 1962 to 2019. Originally derived from a Hebrew name pronounced "Yonatan," meaning "Yahweh has given," Jonathan is recognizable from the Old Testament.

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#35. Helen (girls)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 652,923
- 2019 popularity rank: #429 (737 babies born)
- Peak twelvemonth: 1918

While the name Helen peaked in American popularity a total century ago, in that location are quite a few famous or influential Helens to keep its legacy alive. Between mythological figure Helen of Troy, the incredible Helen Keller, and the iconic Helen Mirren, the name Helen will certainly remain on peoples' lips.

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#34. Eric (boys)

- Babies built-in in the concluding century: 877,492
- 2019 popularity rank: #176 (2,187 babies born)
- Peak yr: 1970

Eric, derived from Old Norse origins, is said to mean "eternal ruler." Eric is one of few names with the distinct honor of being linked to a Disney prince (although there are some who contend that Prince Eric was, well, not exactly the best.

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#34. Angela (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 658,437
- 2019 popularity rank: #256 (i,266 babies born)
- Height year: 1971

Angela from "The Function" infamously wore American Girl doll wearing apparel made for "large colonial dolls," but not all Angelas are quite and so eccentric. The proper noun Angela has a rich history, perhaps the most heady part of which is the proper name's link to, you guessed it, angels.

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#33. Nicholas (boys)

- Babies born in the final century: 891,818
- 2019 popularity rank: #78 (4,601 babies built-in)
- Pinnacle year: 1995

Nicholas is a 1990s mainstay through and through. The proper noun remained in the top 10 for most pop babe names for boys throughout near of that decade and into the early on 2000s, simply has taken a autumn since so. Nicholas is derived from "nike," meaning "victory."

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#33. Shirley (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 668,154
- 2019 popularity rank: #1,487 (146 babies born)
- Meridian yr: 1935

Shirley Temple (the person, not the drink), can perhaps be thanked for this proper noun's 1935 popularity peak, as some of her early hitting films, like "Curly Meridian," were released effectually this time.

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#32. Gary (boys)

- Babies born in the concluding century: 899,858
- 2019 popularity rank: #773 (302 babies built-in)
- Pinnacle year: 1952

Though the name is not immensely common among babies today, it did see an impressive span of high popularity. Gary began to proceeds popularity in the early 1930s, and maintained a spot in the top 30 boy names from 1937 all the way to 1966.

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#32. Amy (girls)

- Babies born in the final century: 680,682
- 2019 popularity rank: #203 (1,471 babies born)
- Peak year: 1975

Amy wasn't but popular in the 1970s; it was a blast hit, cracking the tiptop ii about popular girl infant names four years in a row. Interestingly, the name seems to have defenseless on in the U.Thou. slightly later on. Amy was the 23rd virtually popular girls name in England in 2007 while it merely landed at #119 that same year in the U.South.

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#31. Jacob (boys)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 925,412
- 2019 popularity rank: #13 (10,679 babies born)
- Peak year: 1998

Like many other names on this list, Jacob tin can exist traced dorsum to biblical roots. Jacob, the Hebrew patriarch, serves as the traditional ancestor for the people of Israel. Co-ordinate to Genesis, Jacob was incredibly cunning and quick-witted, and somewhen fathered 13 children.

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#31. Kathleen (girls)

- Babies born in the terminal century: 689,366
- 2019 popularity rank: #940 (279 babies born)
- Peak year: 1951

Kathleen has a mighty impressive tape. The name remained among the top 100 baby names for girls for vii decades, all the way from 1920 to 1990. Kathleen is of Irish origin, every bit an alteration on the proper name Caitlin.

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#30. Ryan (boys)

- Babies born in the last century: 937,629
- 2019 popularity rank: #54 (6,087 babies born)
- Peak year: 1985

Ryan is a newcomer in the name game. According to SSA data, in that location's no tape of the name, or the amount was negligible in the U.S. prior to 1946. Ryan then made a giant spring in popularity from 1970 to 1971, moving from #139 to #51 on the list of most pop boys names. Ryan remained extremely popular for the next 30 years.

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#30. Cynthia (girls)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 705,685
- 2019 popularity rank: #748 (373 babies born)
- Superlative year: 1957

Though some take contested that the name Cynthia has long lived "in the shadow" of its causeless nickname, Cindy, it has still found plenty of time to stand on its own. Cynthia was extremely popular through much of the 1950s and 1960s.

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#29. Jeffrey (boys)

- Babies born in the last century: 975,104
- 2019 popularity rank: #364 (876 babies built-in)
- Peak yr: 1962

Jeffrey saw is heyday during the 1960s. The name remained in the top 15 throughout that decade, and even into the early 1970s. Geoffrey, a version of this name that was once popular (for instance, belonging to 1 of the most influential English writers, Chaucer), has go so uncommon that the SSA has no data on babies given this name since 2005.

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#29. Sharon (girls)

- Babies built-in in the terminal century: 720,816
- 2019 popularity rank: #i,183 (197 babies built-in)
- Peak year: 1947

The 1940s were a fourth dimension for Sharons, the peak being 1947. Even so, since then, Sharon has taken an extremely precipitous turn in terms of popularity. The name did non crevice the top 1,000 in 2017. Sharon is referenced as far dorsum equally the Song of Solomon, a volume of the Old Testament, in the phrase: "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys."

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#28. Jason (boys)

- Babies born in the final century: 1,035,285
- 2019 popularity rank: #104 (3,555 babies born)
- Peak yr: 1977

The most famous bearer of the name Jason may well be in Greek mythology. Jason was the leader of the Argonauts, the seeker of the Golden Fleece, and the primal figure in a lengthy stream of adventures. Within the past century in the U.S., Jason's pinnacle of popularity took identify during the 1970s (reaching the superlative ii multiple years in a row), and has remained within the tiptop 100 boys names since and then.

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#28. Laura (girls)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 721,299
- 2019 popularity rank: #337 (944 babies born)
- Peak year: 1964

Though Laura is not quite as popular today as it once was among baby girls, the name did pull off the impressive feat of remaining within the summit 100 names for nearly half dozen decades, from the 1940s through the early on 2000s.

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#27. Timothy (boys)

- Babies built-in in the terminal century: 1,069,165
- 2019 popularity rank: #188 (2,069 babies born)
- Tiptop yr: 1959

Timothy has been at least in the acme 400 babe names for boys since 1918, and reached its apex in the tardily 1950s and early 1960s. Famous Timothys include Tim Burton, Tim Allen, Tim Curry, and Timothy Dalton.

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#27. Rebecca (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 729,683
- 2019 popularity rank: #264 (one,246 babies built-in)
- Peak year: 1981

Rebecca is a proper noun with Hebrew origins and remained in the meridian l nigh popular for baby girls in the U.South. from 1948 all the way to 2001. Rebecca as well has the singled-out honor of being the title of a bestselling novel (a Gothic piece of work by Dame Daphne du Maurier), which is nevertheless remembered and widely referenced decades after its publication in 1938.

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#26. Ronald (boys)

- Babies built-in in the concluding century: 1,073,062
- 2019 popularity rank: #527 (536 babies born)
- Peak year: 1947

Peaking in the 1940s, the proper noun Ronald was quite mutual from the 1930s all the manner through the early 1980s. Ronalds find themselves in the unique position of having a name that has belonged to both a old president, and the mascot of 1 of the world's biggest fast-nutrient bondage.

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#26. Stephanie (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 738,123
- 2019 popularity rank: #352 (891 babies born)
- Acme twelvemonth: 1990

Stephanie was a regular in the acme 100 names for baby girls for virtually 50 years, from the early 1960s into the 2000s. During this fourth dimension, the name cracked the top 10 on more than ane occasion. Stephanie is derived from the ancient Greek world for "crown."

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#25. Edward (boys)

- Babies born in the final century: 1,097,742
- 2019 popularity rank: #192 (2,037 babies born)
- Elevation yr: 1924

Edward has been one of the almost consistently popular names of the by 100 years—and even before that. IBetween 1900 and 1990, the proper noun never dipped below 70th place in popularity for babe male child names. The name has a lengthy history in the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland too, having belonged to many kings including Edward VIII, who was forced to abdicate the throne due to his desire to marry the divorcee Wallis Warfield Simpson.

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#25. Deborah (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 739,809
- 2019 popularity rank: #898 (293 babies built-in)
- Summit year: 1954

Deborah has seen some farthermost fluctuation in popularity over the years. Between 1918 and 1954, the proper noun jumped more than 700 spots, from 744th to a stint in the top three. The name has since fallen to a similar ranking equally that of 1918, sitting in the 898th spot in 2019.

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#24. George (boys)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 1,159,331
- 2019 popularity rank: #119 (iii,175 babies born)
- Peak yr: 1921

George is derived from the Greek word for farmer and became a personal name in classical times, in junction with a widespread passion for pastoral poetry. Co-ordinate to fable, the saint that shares this proper noun, St. George, was both a martyr and a dragon slayer, and is honored every bit the patron saint of England.

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#24. Melissa (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 753,157
- 2019 popularity rank: #339 (930 babies built-in)
- Peak yr: 1979

Between 1961 and 1968, Melissa went from existence the 95th near pop proper name for baby girls to the fifth. By 1978, the name was the 2nd most popular, and held this spot for several years. Melissa, stemming from Greek roots, is said to mean "honeybee."

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#23. Brian (boys)

- Babies born in the final century: 1,166,797
- 2019 popularity rank: #247 (1,465 babies born)
- Peak year: 1972

Not all Brians have the fortune (or misfortune) of being mistaken for the Messiah, but they do share the history that comes with the name. Brian likely comes from Irish gaelic roots, and the famous Irish high male monarch of the tenth century was chosen Brian Boru.

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#23. Amanda (girls)

- Babies born in the concluding century: 772,882
- 2019 popularity rank: #405 (763 babies born)
- Peak year: 1987

Amanda remained in the tiptop 10 most popular daughter names for virtually xx years, from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. The proper noun was brought into circulation after the Middle Ages, by poets who used information technology equally a direct reference to the Latin give-and-take amanda, meaning "worthy of love." Amanda became more commonly used during the 19th century.

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#22. Kevin (boys)

- Babies born in the last century: 1,172,372
- 2019 popularity rank: #149 (2,610 babies born)
- Summit year: 1963

Kevin is an anglicized version of Caoimhín, or Caomghin, significant "handsome, or noble, birth." Kevin peaked in popularity equally a boys name in 1963, and 2017 marked the start time since the 1940s that the name was not in the top 100.

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#22. Carol (girls)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 807,303
- 2019 popularity rank: #1,804 (112 babies built-in)
- Peak year: 1946

An early Gaelic version of the name Carol appears every bit Cearbhaill, which is derived from a name belonging to, amongst others, the Lord of Ely, who helped Brian Boru achieve an Irish victory in 1014. At present a traditional woman's name, Ballad maxed its popularity in 1946, and is no longer within the height 1,000 nearly popular baby names for girls.

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#21. Joshua (boys)

- Babies born in the last century: 1,214,872
- 2019 popularity rank: #48 (6,574 babies born)
- Height yr: 1989

Rachel Green isn't the only ane who has fawned over this name. Joshua was in the top five baby names for boys 25 years in a row, from the 1983 to 2008. In Hebrew, the name Joshua means "God is salvation."

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#21. Michelle (girls)

- Babies built-in in the final century: 811,401
- 2019 popularity rank: #292 (ane,137 babies born)
- Peak year: 1969

The SSA has no data for Michelles built-in prior to 1938, but since the name burst onto the scene effectually World State of war Two, information technology has maintained adequately solid popularity. Originally a feminine version of the French male person name Michel, Michelle was most popular for infant girls in the late 1960s, but remained inside the meridian 25 all the way from 1964 to 1992.

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#20. Kenneth (boys)

- Babies born in the final century: 1,226,558
- 2019 popularity rank: #233 (1,611 babies born)
- Height year: 1957

The contemporary name Kenneth is an anglicized version of both Cinaed and Coinneach. Among the most famous Kenneths today are Kenny Chesney and Kenny Rogers, who died in 2020.

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#20. Donna (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 823,285
- 2019 popularity rank: #1,804 (112 babies born)
- Peak year: 1959

In 1959, Donna reigned supreme, boasting a top five ranking. In Italian, the discussion donna translates to "lady" or "adult female," particularly a woman of loftier rank.

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#19. Andrew (boys)

- Babies born in the last century: ane,252,016
- 2019 popularity rank: #46 (6,757 babies built-in)
- Tiptop twelvemonth: 1987

The real height of Andrew insanity was the late 1980s and early 1990s. The name entered the top five about popular boys names more than than once during this period, peaking in 1987. Famous Andrews include actor Andrew Lincoln ("Walking Dead") and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

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#19. Emily (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 826,262
- 2019 popularity rank: #12 (8,213 babies born)
- Peak year: 1999

The proper name Emily has seen some fluctuation over the past century (for instance, information technology wasn't big during the 1950s), but past the tardily 1990s, Emily was more than popular than ever. Originally, Emily came from the Latin Aemilia, and now possesses a degree of literary association due to impactful writers Emily Dickinson and Emily Bronte.

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#18. Steven (boys)

- Babies born in the last century: i,281,302
- 2019 popularity rank: #200 (1,962 babies born)
- Tiptop year: 1956

The list of notable Stevens is truly endless, ranging from Spielberg to Tyler and all the mode dorsum to the get-go martyr in Christian theology (albeit with a different spelling). Steven has Greek and Latin roots, tracing back to the word "stephanos," significant "crown." The variation Stephen is also quite popular.

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#xviii. Kimberly (girls)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 838,235
- 2019 popularity rank: #193 (1,527 babies born)
- Superlative year: 1970

In 1970, Kimberly was the third near popular proper name for babe girls in the Usa. It was pop through the decade, merely has since fallen somewhat, despite the ubiquity of Kim Kardashian and her squad.

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#17. Paul (boys)

- Babies built-in in the concluding century: ane,286,846
- 2019 popularity rank: #245 (1,495 babies born)
- Tiptop year: 1957

Like many names on this list, Paul is steeped in religious history. Saint Paul, the apostle, famously converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus; he then traveled extensively spreading the bulletin of his new religion. While Paul has remained a popular proper name, its height of commonality was surprisingly 1957.

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#17. Dorothy (girls)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 847,468
- 2019 popularity rank: #563 (540 babies born)
- Peak year: 1924

Throughout the 1920s, Dorothy maintained a steady run as one of the peak choices for baby girl names, and it remained amongst the top three names for over a decade. It makes sense, because Frank L. Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" came out in 1900 and undoubtedly influenced little girls' names with his precocious protagonist.

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#xvi. Mark (boys)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 1,346,509
- 2019 popularity rank: #223 (i,678 babies built-in)
- Tiptop year: 1960

There's some contention over the verbal history of the proper noun Mark, though some believed information technology comes from Mars, the Roman god of state of war. Whatever the proper noun's origin, it has generally stood the examination of fourth dimension. Today, some of the most famous Marks are Mark Ruffalo, Marking Wahlberg, and Mark Zuckerberg.

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#16. Ashley (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 847,504
- 2019 popularity rank: #136 (2,019 babies born)
- Peak year: 1987

Some of the biggest celebrities in the early 2000s take names soaring in popularity in the 1980s, from Jessica (Simpson) and Amanda (Bynes) to Nicole (Richie). Famous Ashleys include Ashley Tisdale, Ashley Olsen, and Ashley Judd.

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#fifteen. Donald (boys)

- Babies built-in in the terminal century: 1,348,220
- 2019 popularity rank: #552 (506 babies born)
- Superlative year: 1934

The Gaelic version of and predecessor to the name Donald is "Domhnall." The name had long been pop in Scotland before information technology gained notoriety in the remainder of the English language-speaking world. While Donald is no longer a very popular selection for baby boys born in the U.South., it had a long run, with the pinnacle of its popularity being 1934.

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#15. Sandra (girls)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 873,609
- 2019 popularity rank: #986 (260 babies born)
- Acme yr: 1947

One of the near well-known Sandras may be Sandra Dee, thank you to her iconic number in "Grease." Of course, there have been a few other famous Sandras over fourth dimension; for instance, Sandra Day O'Connor was the commencement woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

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#14. Anthony (boys)

- Babies born in the terminal century: i,403,920
- 2019 popularity rank: #38 (7,669 babies born)
- Summit twelvemonth: 1990

Anthony comes from the Latin family proper name "Antonius." Perhaps the most famous figure to bear this name is Marcus Antonius (commonly known every bit Marc Antony), the Roman politician and general. Anthony was a fairly popular proper name a century ago, and later a brief period of decline, became even more popular in the 1990s and early on 2000s.

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#14. Betty (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 938,638
- 2019 popularity rank: #ane,395 (160 babies born)
- Peak yr: 1930

One half of the duo famous for fighting over a well-known redhead (a pair that has since been given a modernistic twist via the TV serial "Riverdale"), Betty saw a long reign equally a pop name for girls. Betty was even used equally slang (as seen in the movie "Clueless") to mean a beautiful woman.

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#thirteen. Matthew (boys)

- Babies born in the terminal century: one,600,285
- 2019 popularity rank: #23 (9,199 babies built-in)
- Summit year: 1983

Matthew was in the summit three about popular boys names for most of the 1980s and 1990s. Unlike some names that run across a brief fasten and then fade dorsum to obscurity, Matthew remains in the peak 20. But this kind of love is a double-edged sword for many bearing the name.

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#xiii. Margaret (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 944,344
- 2019 popularity rank: #127 (ii,199 babies born)
- Peak yr: 1921

The height of popularity may have been nearly a century ago, but Margarets need non fear that their proper noun is falling entirely out of fashion. Maybe information technology'southward the plethora of nicknames attached (Maggie, Meg, Peggy), just Margaret has begun to slowly increase in popularity in contempo years.

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#12. Daniel (boys)

- Babies built-in in the terminal century: ane,889,640
- 2019 popularity rank: #15 (ten,504 babies born)
- Acme year: 1985

Daniel comes from the Hebrew name Daniyyel, pregnant "God is my estimate." The proper name came into popularity in England effectually the Middle Ages, but didn't come across its day in the U.South. until 1985.

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#12. Lisa (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 965,003
- 2019 popularity rank: #955 (274 babies born)
- Superlative year: 1965

Lisa belongs to one of the nearly iconic cartoon characters of all time (Lisa from "The Simpsons") also as a well-known painting. Non all Lisas have such a famous smile, but they did accept a tiptop year in 1965.

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#11. Christopher (boys)

- Babies born in the last century: ii,032,843
- 2019 popularity rank: #44 (half-dozen,960 babies born)
- Height year: 1984

Christopher was once a metaphorical name used by early Christians to signify that they diameter Christ in their hearts. Today, information technology's an incredibly popular choice used widely throughout the state. Christopher was in the tiptop 3 most pop boys names throughout much of the 1970s and 1980s.

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#eleven. Nancy (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 969,544
- 2019 popularity rank: #903 (291 babies born)
- Summit yr: 1947

Is it coincidence that Nancy became popular around when the first "Nancy Drew" novels entered apportionment in 1930? There's little testify to support a connection, but information technology seems to make sense that the name Nancy would rise every bit a fictional Nancy rocketed to success. The name remained popular for a short stretch, peachy the superlative 10 through the 1940s and early 1950s.

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#10. Charles (boys)

- Babies born in the last century: two,106,078
- 2019 popularity rank: #51 (6,348 babies born)
- Top year: 1947

Charlie, Chuck, Chip—Charles may well exist the name of nicknames. The moniker has been popular with kings, dog breeds, and many, many men in the United States. Decades after its peak popularity, Charles remained within the top l most common names for boys.

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#10. Karen (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 985,728
- 2019 popularity rank: #660 (438 babies born)
- Summit year: 1957

Throughout the late 1950s and 1960s, Karen was i of the about pop girls' names in the country. Somewhere forth the way, however, the name became a running joke, and the internet became peppered with Karen-centric memes. Apologies to Karens everywhere.

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#9. Thomas (boys)

- Babies built-in in the last century: two,160,330
- 2019 popularity rank: #47 (vi,612 babies built-in)
- Peak year: 1952

Y'all know a name is top of the heap when information technology's featured on the definitive English muffin. Certain, there's also Thomas Jefferson and Tom Hanks, merely information technology doesn't get much better than a buttery breakfast care for. The name Thomas is even so amidst the fifty most popular for boys.

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#ix. Sarah (girls)

- Babies born in the terminal century: 993,847
- 2019 popularity rank: #81 (3,287 babies built-in)
- Peak yr: 1982

All Sarahs empathize the great "h" or "no h" contend, forth with other struggles that come with having such a popular proper name. Sarah was close to the peak 50 nigh popular girls names 100 years ago, and so took a dip in the middle of the century. Only it returned with forcefulness in the early 1980s, and remains relatively popular today.

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#viii. Joseph (boys)

- Babies born in the last century: ii,352,889
- 2019 popularity rank: #24 (9,058 babies built-in)
- Peak yr: 1956

Joseph was a biblical figure, only his story is often told with a trivial extra flair (and a lot more dancing), via the musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." The proper name has been consistently pop throughout the last century, evidenced past dozens of famous Josephs throughout the years from Joe Montana and Joe Biden to Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Joseph Campbell .

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#8. Jessica (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 1,045,519
- 2019 popularity rank: #331 (962 babies built-in)
- Peak year: 1987

In 1918, Jessica ranked equally the 963rd most popular girls name, barely scratching the top 1,000. The name certainly made up for lost time over the adjacent lx years. By 1980, Jessica was the third most popular name for baby girls, and held this spot or college for nearly 20 years.

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#7. Richard (boys)

- Babies born in the concluding century: 2,467,544
- 2019 popularity rank: #198 (ane,969 babies born)
- Peak twelvemonth: 1946

The prevalence of the name Richard during the Centre Ages gave way to the shortened and rhyming nicknames. Some of the virtually famous Richards in the last one-half-century include Richard Nixon, Richard Attenborough, and Richard Gere.

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#7. Susan (girls)

- Babies built-in in the last century: i,104,407
- 2019 popularity rank: #1,056 (240 babies born)
- Peak year: 1955

Susan is seen today as somewhat old-fashioned, barely cracking the peak i,000 most popular names for girls in 2017. However, Susan saw a lengthy run of success a few decades agone, especially throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

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#six. David (boys)

- Babies built-in in the final century: 3,563,170
- 2019 popularity rank: #27 (8,896 babies born)
- Peak yr: 1955

In that location accept been more than 3 million Davids built-in in the last century. Long earlier and then, yet, Davids held a few rather impressive titles including Male monarch of Israel and the esteemed marble masterpiece that is Michaelangelo's David.

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#6. Barbara (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 1,402,428
- 2019 popularity rank: #945 (278 babies born)
- Summit year: 1947

The name Barbara was inside the pinnacle 10 most pop names for girls for much of the first half of the 20th century. It is no longer considered quite every bit mod, but that certainly does not mean Barbara is gone for good. The delinquent success of Netflix'south serial "Stranger Things" touched off an obsession with that bear witness's graphic symbol, Affront—information technology however remains to be seen what long-term effects that popularity volition have on infant names in the coming years.

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#5. William (boys)

- Babies born in the final century: 3,601,719
- 2019 popularity rank: #4 (xiii,542 babies born)
- Peak twelvemonth: 1947

The name William has been immensely pop for decades; it was the 2nd near popular boys name in 1918, and 100 years afterward remains but equally desirable. Famous Williams today include Prince William, Billy Crystal (built-in William Edward Crystal), and Bill Murray (born William James Murray).

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#5. Elizabeth (girls)

- Babies born in the final century: 1,428,981
- 2019 popularity rank: #14 (seven,844 babies born)
- Elevation year: 1990

Some other proper noun, another foray into royalty. Elizabeth I was the last Tudor monarch and, of course, Queen Elizabeth II is very much in charge today. Elizabeth has seen immense swells of popularity as a name—for proof, wait no further than Elizabeth Shue, Elizabeth Taylor, and Elizabeth Hurley.

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#4. Michael (boys)

- Babies built-in in the terminal century: 4,330,025
- 2019 popularity rank: #xiv (10,514 babies born)
- Peak year: 1957

The name Michael literally translates in Hebrew to the rhetorical question, "Who is like God?" The ubiquitous proper name has enjoyed a timelessness every bit a moniker, from Michael Stipe and Michael Jackson to Michael Bolton and Michael Keaton.

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#4. Linda (girls)

- Babies born in the last century: 1,448,309
- 2019 popularity rank: #774 (355 babies born)
- Peak year: 1947

Like Karen, the name Linda comes along with certain connotations (meet brusk-lived Play tricks comedy "Linda From Hour.") At sure points, withal, Linda was at the top of the heap for babe names. Through the 1940s, Linda was one of the most pop girls names in the country.

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#iii. Robert (boys)

- Babies built-in in the last century: 4,499,901
- 2019 popularity rank: #76 (4,813 babies born)
- Tiptop year: 1947

One hundred years ago, Robert was the quaternary most popular proper noun for baby boys. As of 2017, this Robert appreciation has waned slightly, but the name still remains amidst the meridian-ranked monikers. Fun fact: Rob as a nickname for Robert was once rivaled by variations such as Dob and Hob.

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#iii. Jennifer (girls)

- Babies built-in in the terminal century: 1,467,664
- 2019 popularity rank: #392 (780 babies born)
- Peak year: 1972

Today, some Jennifers may be insecure that their once massively dominant name has been overtaken by others in recent years. Still, Jennifers can take condolement in the fact that their name at diverse points has been and then insanely popular, it was referred to as an "epidemic."

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#2. John (boys)

- Babies born in the concluding century: 4,502,387
- 2019 popularity rank: #28 (8,779 babies built-in)
- Peak year: 1947

John's high ranking should not come as a surprise to most—information technology's literally the name given to people whose names are unknown or withheld in particular circumstances. John was the pinnacle name for boys in 1918, and remains quite popular a full century later.

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#ii. Patricia (girls)

- Babies born in the final century: 1,560,897
- 2019 popularity rank: #936 (280 babies built-in)
- Peak yr: 1951

Hats off to Patricia. This proper name, the popularity of which peaked in 1951, remained within the tiptop 10 baby names for girls for nearly three decades. Patricia is derived from the Latin discussion "patrician," significant noble.

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#1. James (boys)

- Babies born in the final century: 4,735,694
- 2019 popularity rank: #6 (13,087 babies born)
- Peak twelvemonth: 1947

James is nearly precisely every bit popular today equally it was a century ago. The name has been amid the top 5 names for boys for a great bargain of the by century.

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#ane. Mary (girls)

- Babies born in the terminal century: 3,265,105
- 2019 popularity rank: #126 (2,209 babies born)
- Summit year: 1921

Non only has the proper name Mary remained a favored option throughout the century, it actually held that top spot from 1918 all the way through 1946. Though there have been many influential Marys throughout the years, the best-known likely the Virgin Mary of the Bible.

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