Top Baby Names From the Last 100 Years
August 30, 2021
Baby names have changed quite a bit in the last 100 years. While some names have retained their popularity, other once-favorites have since been forgotten. If you’re looking to the past for some inspiration, take a peek at the popular baby names from each decade since the 1900s. Tucked away between the years, you might just find the perfect fit.
1900s
At the turn of the (last) century, baby names that today we deem traditional topped the charts—think: John, George and William for boys, and Mary, Margaret and Elizabeth for girls. These classics certainly have something about that, as they continue to be popular options more than 100 years later!
Top 10 Boys’ Names:
Top 10 Girls’ Names:
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
A lot of important events happened in the ’40s: the invention of Velcro, Tupperware and the Frisbee, World War II and the debut of the name Michael in the top 10 boys’ list. It’s been in the top 10 every decade since!
Top 10 Boys’ Names:
Top 10 Girls’ Names:
1950s
1960s
The swinging ’60s were characterized by tumultuousness and change—but that didn’t really apply to baby names. Almost all of the top 10 names for boys remained unchanged, as did half of the names for girls.
Top 10 Boys’ Names:
Top 10 Girls’ Names:
1970s
The ’70s—a big time for bell-bottoms, platform shoes and polyester, plus some radical changes in baby names. Hello, Jennifer and Christopher!
Top 10 Boys’ Names:
Top 10 Girls’ Names:
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
A decade that saw the rise of Katy Perry, the introduction of SpongeBob SquarePants, Harry Potter and Twilight and the technological takeover of Apple products. Interestingly, neither Edward nor Harry made the top 10.
Top 10 Boys’ Names:
Top 10 Girls’ Names:
Still not sure you’ve found the right baby name? Browse hundreds more options with The Bump’s baby name lists.
