Thanks Neil – it’s good to have an overview of the century as a whole.
For any other readers seeing this, the above link is well worth checking out.
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Ever wondered how the most popular baby names have changed over the past 100 or so years?
Well BabyCenter.com has a great list of the most popular baby names of each decade during the 20th century.
I’ve included links to their list below as well as the top 3 boys and girls names for each decade, but click on the year and you’ll be taken through to a longer list of names.
For me the most fascinating thing is, despite how much society has changed, how little the most common names have varied.
I’d be keen to hear how many of you had names that made the list every decade, or had names that didn’t feature in one.
TOP BABY NAMES OF THE 20TH CENTURY
1990 – Jessica, Brittany, and Samantha; Michael, Daniel, and Justin
1980 – Jennifer, Melissa, and Heather; Michael, Christopher, and Jason
1970 – Jennifer, Lisa, and Tammy; Michael, James, and Brian
1960 – Mary, Susan, and Lisa; David, Robert, and Mark
1950 – Linda, Barbara, and Nancy; James, John, and David
1940 – Mary, Judith, and Betty; James, William, and Charles
1930 – Mary, Dorothy, and Helen; Robert, Richard, and George
1920 – Mary, Ruth, and Virginia; John, Edward, and Frank
1910 – Mary, Anna, and Mildred; John, William, and Joseph
1900 – Mary, Elizabeth, and Ethel; John, George, and Henry
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image sourced from: Bioethics Blog
Frequently asked questions about the most popular baby names of the 20th century
Why did certain names become so popular during the 20th century?
Cultural trends, influential figures (like celebrities, politicians, and fictional characters), and media exposure helped drive the popularity of specific names at various times.
Did popular names vary significantly by decade?
Yes — each decade had its own set of trending names. For example, “Mary” and “John” dominated early in the century, while later decades favored names like “Jennifer” and “Michael.”
How did regional and cultural influences affect name popularity?
Immigration, regional traditions, and cultural communities influenced naming choices. Names common in one region or cultural group often became more widespread over time.
Did historical events impact baby name trends?
Absolutely. Events like wars, social movements, and global figures often led to surges in certain names — parents sometimes chose names to honor heroes or express values.
Why do some names remain popular while others fade?
Some names endure due to classic appeal or timeless sound, while others fade as they become associated with a specific generation or cultural moment.
Can analyzing past name trends help expectant parents today?
Yes — studying historical trends can reveal which names are timeless, which are reserved for nostalgic appeal, and which are considered more unique or modern.
Neil Street
November 26, 2010
If you are interested in top names of the 20th century, here is a study that actually looks at the entire century, not just by decade. The list that you show, from BabyCenter.com, is actually just a reprint of the Social Security administration’s decade-by-decade data. If you want an actual study of the top names of the entire century, see: