The Most Popular Girls' Names From The 1930s

Nowadays, it’s normal to hear the names Blue or Isla being called out in the grocery store. But back in the 1930s, in a time before social media and Google, new moms tended to stick to good ol' fashioned monikers. Here are the most popular girls' names from that decade They may not be all the rage right now, but we're sure they'll be making a comeback very soon...

Beverly

The name means “dwelling at the beaver meadow,” and if this fact was better known, we’re guessing the name might not have been as popular. Who knows?

Frances

This one means “free one” or “from France.” The first meaning is definitely more romantic, and both of these are still a better meaning than “dwelling at the beaver meadow.”

Jean

Another common name. It originated in Scotland as Jane or Jeanie and gradually made its way to the U.S. with an Americanized spelling. After the 1930s, the name quickly fell out of fashion.

Elizabeth

This name definitely stuck around after the '30s, but it garnered some major popularity during the time period. It translates to “my God is abundance” or “my God is an oath.” Pious.

Marilyn

We wondered if the popularity of Marilyn had to do with Marilyn Monroe, but she was born in 1926 — as Norma Jeane Baker — so she was a bit young to start this trend. Either way, this name definitely has a ring to it.

Virginia

This one has a lengthy history. The name likely originated from Virginius of Rome, which meant “maiden.” Obviously, Americans loved the name since there’s both Virginia and West Virginia, so of course, they’d bestow it on their little girls.

Ruth

In the Bible, Ruth of the Moabites was King David’s great-grandma. The name also has a solid meaning: companion, friend, and vision of beauty. Let’s bring it back!

Doris

This name makes us think of a librarian with horn-rimmed glasses. It has a Greek background and means gift. If you’re a nerdy kid, kind, knowledgeable librarians are a gift, so it makes sense.

Joyce

This name has extremely ancient and also androgynous origins and was popular until the 14th century. Eventually, it was changed to be a purely feminine name instead.

Carol

This was the feminine version of the name Charles. If you enjoy hearing your name mentioned every year around the holidays, this is the perfect name for you.

Helen

It comes from the Greek name Selene, which means moon. In Greek mythology, Helen was stolen by Paris, which started the Trojan War, so this name has some deep meaning behind it.

Nancy

The name has been around in the U.S. since the 1880s, and in the '30s, it made a major resurgence. In 1936 Nancy grew 115 percent in popularity year over year. There isn’t a clear link why. 

Margaret

This is one of those names that has a million different off-shoots: Maggie, Mairead, Madge, Margarete, Marge, Margie, Meg, Megan, Aurie, Rita, Gretchen, and Peggy. Most of these make sense, but does anyone know how they got Gretchen from this?

Joan

Another pious name. It means “God is gracious.” Joan of Arc, the French warrior who claimed she received visions from God to fight the English, definitely helped make the name more popular.

Dorothy

If The Wizard of Oz had been released before 1939, Dorothy definitely would have been a much more popular name in the '30s. Though the movie had major staying power, the name didn’t stick around as well.

Patricia

This name couldn’t be stopped in the 1930s. Interestingly, it re-emerged in the 1990s as the second most popular name in America.

Shirley

This name stems from a few old English prefixes that combine to mean “a bright or clear wood, meadow, or enclosure.” The next time you meet a Shirley, remember this.

Barbara

The third most popular name from the 1930s is Barbara, or “strange or foreign.” Though this name is no longer common in the United States, it’s still well-used in Chile, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia. 

Betty

This is a shortened version of the name Elizabeth, and it definitely spoke to people. With Betty Grable and Betty Boop in the early American culture, some parents were definitely influenced.

Mary

There were many famous Marys in the '30s: Mary Astor, Queen Mary, and Mary Pickford. You may not find many baby Marys these days, but this name stayed immensely popular for a very long time — even when newer, more modern names began to emerge during the 1940s. Here are the top 20 from that decade.

Dorothy

When The Wizard of Oz came out on American screens, its heroine was so brave and endearing that everybody just had to name their daughter after her. We can't blame them; it's got a nice ring to it.

Joyce

Joyce sounds like the girl everybody wants to be friends with. Day or night, she's up for an adventure. She has enough charm for 20 people, always tries new foods, and probably keeps a swimsuit in her car just in case.

Kathleen

Kathleen's a lovely Irish name, originally spelled "Caitlín" in Gaelic. It means "pure," has been around for centuries, and is oddly common as a given name among writers, according to Wikipedia.

Donna

With a name literally meaning "girl" or "woman" in Italian, the Donnas of the world are not here to goof off. It's an efficient, "get 'er done" name fit for a hardworking individual such as disco star Donna Summer.

Karen

Take back this name from memehood by birthing a child into the world and raising her to be so profoundly kind, so amiable, so altruistic, that she'll give Fred Rogers a run for his money. We need a new brand of Karen.

Judy

Be like actress Judy Ann Santos — or like an aunt Judy, who's one of the coolest people ever. She has a giant dog that doesn't bark, she always smells like perfume that you can only get in Europe, and she taught us how to play bocce.

Shirley

This name owes its astronomical 1940s popularity to none other than America's darling Shirley Temple. The polymath child star grew up to be an ambassador for the United Nations, so it's a historically high-performing name if you want your kid to achieve big things.

Margaret

This is a two-for-one name. If your child grows up to be British nobility, she can go by Margaret. If she grows up to be an indie rock star, or a writer, or an environmental scientist, or anything else awesome like that, she can go by Maggie.

Carolyn

The hipper, more mischievous version of Caroline, this name translates to "song of happiness" — but the Internet doesn't say from which language. At least it doesn't mean "funeral dirge."

Betty

Betty is an absolutely lovely name, so it’s no wonder it was still popular in the 1940s. It reminds us of the color yellow, or Betty White, or Betty Crocker, or Betty from the Archie comics. Bettys are winners.

Susan

Susan's a name fit for royalty, as C.S. Lewis made clear when he gave the name to one of his four Pevensie characters. It's elegant but unfussy and classy without sounding pretentious.

Judith

Not everyone can think of a Judith they know personally. But in the 1940s, you’d have probably come across Judiths a lot. It was the fourth most popular name and belongs to a beautiful widow in the Bible.

Sharon

Somewhere out there, an English teacher named Sharon, who is very tall and very kind, still writes students emails asking how they're doing in life. It's a comforting name for a lovely woman.

Nancy

Nancy is back in the 1940s, too. It’s a no-nonsense name for a spunky kid who'll go places in their life. Nancy Drew, Nancy Kerrigan, Nancy Reagan, and Nancy Pelosi were all bestowed this high-power moniker.

Sandra

This name is a vintage find. The first Sandra who comes to mind is Hollywood star Sandra Bullock. But you may also associate Sandra with the song from Grease where they mock Sandy's modesty.

Carol

This name popped up in again in the '40s. It makes us think of Christmas cookies, or of a nice grandmother who brings peaches and casseroles to your house when she visits. Just be sure not to add an E at the end — that's reality star Carole Baskin's territory.

Patricia

Ask any Gen Z'er if they know a Patricia, and they'll likely scream "PATRICIA!" back at you. It was popularized in 2015 through a famous video from Vine user Chrish. But before that, it was big in the 1940s.

Barbara

Santa Barbara! Barbara Ann! Barb from Stranger Things! Barbie dolls! Barbaras are everywhere in American culture, but the name is rare for youngsters these days. Fun fact: In Catholic tradition, Barbara is a saint and protector against lightning.

Linda

It's a name of European origin. In German "linde" means "soft, tender," and in Spanish "linda" means "beautiful." Either way, it sounds lovely and is fun to say.

Mary

You'll never go wrong with the classic name Mary. It was number one from the 1890s up through the 1950s, but in 2018, it wasn't even in the top 100 — making it a unique choice for a destined child. Here's what else joined Mary at the top in the ’50s.

Linda

Linda held on to popularity in the '50s. In fact, some of the most famous Lindas were born in this decade — including actress Linda Blair, model Linda Evangelista, and Terminator star Linda Hamilton. This obviously helped to cement the name as a go-to for new parents in the decade!

Patricia

The name Patricia may have still been popular during the 1950s, but that’s certainly not the case today. In 2018 it ranked 913th on the list of names being used for new babies in the U.S. So if you know a little girl called Patricia, remember she’s pretty special.

Susan

This name hit peak popularity during the 1940s and '50s. Maybe because it’s so nicknameable! There’s Sue, Suzie, and even Suz, for example.

Deborah

In 1955 Deborah became the second most popular name choice in the U.S. What's more, the alternate spelling, "Debra," also featured in the top ten names during that decade.

Barbara

Glamorous actresses such as Barbara Stanwyck and Barbara La Marr made this name a favorite among parents in the '20s and '30s. It retained its popularity in the '50s, too, although it did seem to go out of style in the following decade.

Karen

Everyone’s heard of a Karen customer, right? The name today is often used to jokingly describe middle-aged women with a tendency to complain. But during the 1950s, it was all the rage. Yep, in 1956 alone, the name went up 117% in usage!

Nancy

The Nancy Drew mystery series gained popularity well before the '50s, but the name stuck around. The voice of Bart Simpson, Nancy Cartwright, was born in 1957 — during the Nancy boom!

Donna

After gaining popularity in the previous decade, Donna popped back up in the 1950s. Ritchie Valens released the song "Oh Donna" in 1958, and, naturally, it led to an all-time peak of baby Donnas in 1959.

Cynthia

This name may make you think of the adorable Cindy Brady, but it actually has its roots in Greek mythology. The Greek goddess Artemis was born on Mount Cynthus, earning her the nickname Cynthia.

Sandra

Anyone named Sandra has a lot to live up to — even from birth. The name means "protector of man," and it rose to popularity during the 1920s. The name then peaked during the 1960s because of the American actress Sandra Dee.

Pamela

Over 27,000 Pamelas were born in 1954, but in reality, the name was in vogue all throughout the '40s and '50s. The fondness for it seemed to fizzle out in the 1960s, though, when it fell off the list of the top 1,000 popular girl names.

Kathleen

The Irish name Kathleen was in the top 100 most popular names from 1948 to 1953. Old songs such as Bing Crosby’s "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen" may have played a hand in this. And the moniker eventually made a comeback in the 1980s. Know any Kathleens off the top of your head?

Carol

The popular comedian Carol Burnett helped to create a wave of Carols during the 1950s. Sadly, the name is on the verge of extinction in the U.S. today. That's right, practically no babies are being called Carol nowadays!

Diane

Diane reached peak use in 1955 and is one of the rare names that managed to remain popular throughout the 1990s. In 2015, though, it finally fell out of the top 100 choices for baby girls.

Janet

Janet means "God's gracious gift." So if you know any Janets, hopefully, they’ve managed to stay humble. The name is certified vintage, too, as hardly any new baby girls are given it today.

Elizabeth

As a name literally fit for a queen, Elizabeth has been consistently popular for a long time. It has remained on the top 25 list of girl names for the past 100 years but was especially popular in the '50s — probably thanks to the Queen’s coronation.

Margaret

A popular choice among saints and royals, this name has been a go-to in the U.S. since the 1800s. Plus, it comes with cute nicknames such as Peggy and Maggie! What’s not to love?

Janice

Long before Chandler from Friends dated his Long Islander girlfriend, the name Janice was popular among Baby Boomers. But it dropped off in popularity by the 1970s. And no, that infamous cackle wasn’t enough to bring it back.

Lisa

For the first time in nearly a decade, Mary was displaced as the leading girls' name in the early 1960s, having been ousted by Lisa, whose momentum carried her all the way to the top.

Patricia

By 1964, Patricia settled in sixth behind Lisa, the ever-popular Mary, Susan and Karen. It was a name that could be adapted to match the cool vibes of the decade — Trisha, Patti or Trixie, for example!

Kimberly

It’s believed that Kimberley first came into being as a masculine name. But by 1965, the variant Kimberly was more common as a girl’s name and was quite a popular at that. Meaning “from the wood of the royal forest,” it was the fourth most popular girls' name at this point.

Michelle

The 1960s marked the first time Michelle — meaning “who is like God?” — joined the ranks of the top five girls’ baby names. The '60s brought about a lot of change, and that could be reflected in names such as this one.

Melissa

The rise in Melissa’s popularity marked a big change in the world of names. It was around that time that Mary dropped out of the top five for the first time that century. There were clearly enough Ms to go around with Melissa and Michelle taking the top spots.

Jennifer

If you were a new mom in the late '60s, you may have pondered on Jennifer as your daughter’s name. It rose through the ranks and is said to suit someone classy, cool, and creative — perfect for a kid growing up in the 1970s. And for kids born in the '70s, there was a whole host of funky new monikers to choose from.

Holly

This festive-sounding name was huge in the '70s, probably because it brought happy holiday memories to mind during such a tumultuous time. Also, the name “Holly Golightly” made quite the splash years earlier, all thanks to Breakfast at Tiffany’s. 

Dana

While Dana is still widely considered to be unisex, the name had its own revolution in the '70s, when it was primarily given to females. We can all agree, though, that regardless of who you are, it's a beautiful name!

Melanie

We might have Melanie Griffith to thank for this name's popularity in later years! Interestingly enough, the name was once given solely to girls with dark complexions and/or dark hair, and that’s because “Melanie” originates from the word “black.”

Tonya

The name “Tonya” brings strong, confident women to mind, probably because of famous (and infamous) women such as Tonya Harding. The nickname "Tonya" is sometimes short for Antonia, a feminized version of Antonio.

Stacey

Spelled with or without the “e," this was one of the grooviest names of the 1970s. It means “resurrection,” which is derived from the royal-sounding “Anastasia,” and was given to approximately 7,482 babies in 1971!

Monica

Here’s proof that Monica Geller was a child of the '70s! The iconic Friends character’s name means “advisor” and “truth,” which makes sense, given her wise nature on the show. 1970s-era Monicas were truly fun, feisty, and fabulous.

Tara

The name “Tara,” meaning “hillside” or “tower,” reached its peak in popularity in 1977, and it’s easy to see why. The name is short and sweet, especially since it usually derives from more dramatic girls’ names such as Tarala and Tarangini.

Carrie

Is it any guess who inspired this sweet-but-salty girl’s name? When Carrie Fisher debuted as Princess Leia, both names skyrocketed in popularity. Stephen King’s 1974 horror novel may have also had something to do with the name’s rise through the ranks.

Wendy

Surprisingly, the Wendy that inspired the name’s boost in popularity in the '70s wasn’t strictly a person. The fast-food restaurant was founded in 1969, and as the chain spread across the country, so did the delightful, girl-next-door name.

April

You hear this name in countless love songs for a reason. It brings to mind springtime, sunshine, and flowers, and not just to songwriters, but to parents, too! Interestingly, April has made a small comeback in recent years.

Andrea

Since the name “Andrea” comes from the male name “Andreas,” it’s unsurprising that the name means “manly.” Though it’s considered unisex, it's been popular among females since the '70s and is often shortened to "Andie."

Dawn

Does it get any more '70s than the name “Dawn”? The moniker, which obviously means “sunrise,” was helped along by actress Dawn Wells, who played the chipper castaway Mary Ann on the show Gilligan’s Island.

Tracy

This name means “descendent of the fierce one.” No matter how you spell it, many famous Tracys are certainly fierce — especially Tracey Gayle Norman, the first black trans woman to achieve prominence in the modeling world in the 1970s.

Shannon

This popular girls' name is also a river in Ireland. Though the name means “old,” it’s anything but. Most Shannons are energetic, bright, and filled with life. The name even had a boost in popularity in the '90s!

Julie

We wonder why the name “Julie” makes us think of raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens? Probably because of Julie Andrews, whose popularity in the '60s likely gave rise to the name Julie in the '70s.

Christina

Considering how this name means “follower of Christ,” it’s pretty much as classic as it gets. Though it definitely had a resurgence in the '70s. And thanks to celebrities such as Christina Applegate, it was even more popular in the '80s.

Kelly

Since Kelly means “bright-headed,” it’s no wonder we always associate the name with pep and cheerfulness. TV Host and '70s baby Kelly Ripa certainly fits this description! The name spiked again in the '80s. Just ask Kelly Clarkson and Kelly Rowland.

Heather

When we think “Heather,” we think “popular girl.” After all, it was the #7 female name of the '70s! Heather Locklear's role in Dynasty and the 1988 movie Heathers just goes to show how influential it was in the decade and beyond.

Michelle

Michelle Pfeiffer didn’t arrive until the ’80s, but her name was the second most popular among girls in 1972. It’s the French form of the name “Michael,” and some of the most influential women out there — ahem, Michelle Obama — have boosted the name’s popularity.

Jennifer

Jennifer held on to the popularity it gained in the late '60s and ended up becoming the single most popular name for girls in the ten years that followed. It’s probably thanks in part to the character of Jenny in the 1970 movie Love Story. But could the name hold on to the top spot in the ’80s? Here are the go-to girls' names from that decade.

Katherine

The name "Katherine" originates from Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The "K" spelling is derived from the Greek word katharos, which means "pure." Try and count all the Kates you know on one hand. Tricky, right?

Brittany

Oops, I did it again... and again, and again. The name Brittany, known to have complex French, English, and Celtic origins, was the 21st most popular girls' name in the '80s. Today, the name rings synonymous with the legendary pop singer Britney Spears (who uses a different spelling).

Crystal

Being named Crystal comes with a heavy meaning, as it means "carrier of Christ" in Greek and "follower of Christ" in Latin. It was the ninth most popular girls' name in 1982, with 19,104 babies rocking it.

Christina

The name Christina, meaning "a Christian" in Greek, peaked in the U.S. in 1985, with 16,597 Christinas born that year. Christina Applegate, Christina Aguilera, and Christina Hendricks are some of the most famous Christinas we love today.

Kimberly

This name has been in the running for American baby girls since 1933 and was the 17th most popular girls' name of the '80s. Today, the most famous Kimberly born in the '80s is Kim Kardashian West. You may have heard of her.

Rachel

The name Rachel boasts a Hebrew origin, once meaning "ewe," and was the 16th most popular American girls' name in the '80s, peaking at 1985. It was on the decline in the late '80s, but spiked back up in the mid-to-late '90s. Hm, we wonder why... cue the theme song.

Amy

Though the name Amy has seen several iterations and evolutions, it stems all the way back to the Latin name Amata, which came from the word amatus, meaning “beloved.” Its wild popularity in the late 19th century stemmed from Louisa May Alcott's cherished novel Little Women.

Megan

The Welsh name Megan came from the nickname Meg, which is short for Margaret. These days, Megan is typically used as a full name, though actor Meg Ryan's full first name is actually Margaret. The name saw immense popularity from the mid-'80s to the mid-'90s.

Amber

The name first became popular with the release of Kathleen Winsor's 1944 historical romance novel Forever Amber, followed by a film adaptation of the same name. But the name really shined in 1986, as it was the 13th most popular girls' name in America.

Michelle

After staying near the top through the '70s and '80s, this name's popularity was on the decline after the '80s. But former First Lady Michelle Obama gave it a boost in the early 2000s.

Tiffany

You likely know several 30-something-year-old Tiffanys, enough to band together and form a Tiffany army! The name was popular between 1980 and 1991, peaking at 18,361 babies named Tiffany in 1988. Maybe '80s pop star Tiffany and her 1987 cover of "I Think We're Alone Now" had something to do with it.

Heather

One report showed that the name Heather has seen the most striking rise and fall of any modern baby name, achieving wild popularity from the mid-'70s to the mid-'80s. The name's demise came with the release of 1988's dark comedy Heathers, which contains three separate evil characters named Heather.

Elizabeth

The name Elizabeth is an ongoing classic beauty, as it's been one of the 25 most popular girls' names in the United States for the past century. The Hebrew name meaning "my God is abundance," was the ninth most popular girls' name of the '80s.

Melissa

The name Melissa derives from the Greek word for "honey bee." In Greek mythology, Melissa was known as The Goddess of the Bees. What a title! A nymphic nurse of Zeus, she was famous for feeding him goats' milk and honey.

Stephanie

The name Stephanie is a derivative of the Greek word "stephanos," which translates to “crown” or “garland." This was the seventh most popular girls' name in the '80s. Perhaps Full House's little Stephanie Tanner gave the name a boost.

Sarah

Is it just us, or are Sarahs literally always the kindest of souls? In its Hebrew origin, Sarah means "lady," "princess," or "noblewoman," so it all makes sense. Sarah was the fifth most popular American girls' name in the '80s.

Ashley

Coming in at number four on the list of most popular girls' names of the '80s was Ashley. The name reached its peak in 1987, as a whopping 54, 819 American babies were given it that year. So, it's no coincidence that Ashley Olsen (and of course Mary-Kate) was born in 1986.

Amanda

These days, it's almost weird if you don't know somebody named Amanda. The Latin gerundive name meaning "deserving to be loved" was the third most popular girls' name of the '80s.

Jennifer

We really feel for all of the students named Jennifer in the '90s and 2000s, as you were probably forced to go by "Jen" or "Jenny" or Jennifer plus the first initial of your last name. There were just so many Jennifers. It was excruciatingly popular for decades, especially in the '80s.

Jessica

We've reached the only contender to the wretched Jennifer curse, as Jessica was the number one girls' name of the 1980s, with 469,487 American girls receiving the name. Whether you call her Jess, Jessie, or simply Jessica, we'd bet 50 bucks you have one in your life.

Amber

Also a warm-hued jewel, Amber is a name that was on the rise for decades. And it enjoyed its last golden era in the '90s. The popularity of Saved By The Bell’s Tiffani Amber Thiessen might have had something to do with it.

Victoria

Few names are as powerful and regal as the personification of victory. This name saw a sharp increase for daughters all over the country, though there isn’t a specific reference to pinpoint other than the '80s musical comedy Victor/Victoria.

Alexis

The most-improved name goes to Alexis, hands down. All the odds were against the Greek-derived word for “helper,” until the character Alexis Colby from the television show Dynasty made the name very trendy.

Nicole

People called Nicole didn’t have to convince anybody that it’s a classic title. New parents need only have looked to then-curly red-haired actress Nicole Kidman for confirmation that they were choosing correctly.

Jennifer

If you closed your eyes, spun in a circle, and pointed, there’s a good chance you’d land on a Jennifer. Especially in the '90s, when Jennifer Lopez, Love Hewitt, Connelly, and Aniston captured so many hearts.

Rachel

For those who loved Jennifer Aniston, but just not her name, Rachel was the clear answer. One of the traits people associate with Rachels is naturalness, and that rings true for the iconic Friends character, too.

Stephanie

This name conjures up images of side ponytails and caricatures of Valley Girls, and that might be why it sort of fell from grace as the decade progressed. Still, to all the Stephs and Stefanis out there, your name is timeless.

Lauren

Ever since Lauren Bacall ruled the screen, this name has struck a chord with soon-to-be parents, though it really reached its peak in the '80s and '90s, when you’d surely find at least several Laurens in each school class.

Kayla

All you Kaylas out there, your name has a pinpointable origin! After the soap opera Days of Our Lives introduced the beloved character Kayla Brady, the number of birth certificates bearing that name skyrocketed.

Hannah

The gentle way the sound “Hannah” flutters from your lips mimics the gracefulness that people with this name tend to embody. Other than the Biblical Hannah, the explanation behind why so many parents jumped on the Hannah bandwagon in the '90s is sort of a mystery.

Megan

While it's sort of fallen out of fashion in recent years, little baby Megs were all the rage in the '80s and '90s. Royal figure Meghan Markle and rapper Megan Thee Stallion are two notable gals born within that time frame.

Taylor

While Haydens and Harpers feel like coolest girl names on current kindergarten attendance lists, in the '90s, Taylors were the It girls. One millennial Taylor (you can probably guess who) swiftly catapulted the name to new heights after becoming a famous pop star.

Elizabeth

As timeless as Queen Liz herself, Elizabeths are here to stay. Few names share the same consistency across decades, and it doesn't hurt that Elizabeths have a huge variety of nicknames to choose from.

Brittany

She’s so lucky. She’s a star, She’s Britney, or Brittany, or whatever spelling her parents decided on. Since Miss Spears was one of the biggest names of the decade, it’s no wonder that a generation of little girls were given her moniker.

Amanda

As the name directly translates in Latin to "loved very much by everyone," doting moms and dads felt it worthy of their babies, including the parents of Amanda Bynes and Amanda "Mandy" Moore.

Samantha

For some reason, Samanthas were a dime a dozen in the '90s. It could be Molly Ringwald’s influence as Sam in Sixteen Candles, or the hype of Samantha, one of the most elegant American Girl Dolls.

Sarah

Which one? Seriously. Sarahs are everywhere you look! Some with an "H," some who slapped an "A" on the end and called it a day. Since the 1880s, the name has held a spot within the top 150 given names in the United States.

Emily

Approachable, smart, with a natural appreciation for beauty, if you're a '90s baby named Emily, your parents did you a favor. This name surged in popularity at the end of the 21st century and sort of competes statistically with the name Emma.

Ashley

Predominantly used as a girl's name today, Ashley is actually a historied gender-neutral name that people have given to babies for generations. In the '90s, the Ashley half of the Olsen twins became the most famous child star to ever wear the name.

Jessica

Jessica still ruled the roost in the '90s. Perhaps the country was still reeling from the 1987 incident where the world watched with bated breath as Baby Jessica McClure was rescued from the bottom of a well.