What goes around comes around – and old-fashioned baby names seem to be no exception. Now, as trends tend to repeat themselves, we’re expecting to see classic 1950s baby names making a comeback.
While celebrities like Elon Musk and Kim Kardashian have given their kids some unusual names (think X Æ A-Xii or Psalm), some have opted for the traditional route. Take Gossip Girl star Blake Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds who have named their three children James, Betty, and Inez – monikers that have been around before their parents were even born.
Similarly, footballer Frank Lampard and wife Christine decided to name their daughter Patricia back in 2018, in memory of the star’s late mother. Here’s a look at 20 baby names from the 1950s that could be making a resurgence.
James
James is a name that has remained so timelessly popular that it doesn’t even feel outdated. In the 1950s, it was closely linked to youth culture, largely thanks to the iconic James Dean, the heartthrob of Rebel Without a Cause.
Mary
Linda had a standout moment in the early 1950s, reigning as the No. 1 name from 1947 to 1952. However, Mary ultimately claimed the title for the decade. With influential figures like Mary Blair — the talented artist behind Disney classics such as Lady and the Tramp , Alice in Wonderland , and Cinderella — it’s easy to see why families continue to honour the legendary Marys of the past.
Michael
Western and cowboy-inspired baby names are having a resurgence, largely thanks to Yellowstone . But can this trend be traced all the way back to 1959’s Bonanza and its star, Michael Landon? It turns out, Michael doesn’t need a trend to stay in the spotlight — it’s a name that has remained popular in its own right for decades.
Linda
The name Linda — made famous by actress Linda Cristal, who appeared in Westerns throughout the ’50s — had a strong run, holding the top spot from 1947 to 1952. However, it was eventually overtaken by Mary, which returned to reclaim the crown.
Robert
The name Robert, meaning “bright fame,” truly lived up to its meaning in the 1950s, especially with actors like Robert Mitchum, Robert Taylor, and Robert Conrad rising to prominence.
Patricia
In an episode of The Twilight Zone , actress Patricia Barry portrays a woman who is deceived into falling for a man who uses a love potion on her — only for him to later find her affections overwhelming. This makes Patricia a perfect choice for parents seeking a name with a classic, mid-century vibe, yet still wanting something distinctive.
John
The name John may have had its peak long before the ’50s. It was the number one boy’s name a few decades earlier than that, and kept the top spot between 1900 and 1923. Still, the name has hung in there, landing somewhere in the top-five names in the US every year from 1924 to 1972, where it continues to rank in the top 30 baby names today.
Susan
In the 1950s, Susan was on the rise, reaching its peak in 1960. It’s likely that many of those ’50s families were inspired by actress Susan Hayward, who earned three Academy Award nominations for Best Actress during the decade and finally won the prestigious statue in 1958.
David
It was David that briefly took the number one spot from Michael in 1960, interrupting Michael’s impressive 44-year streak as the most popular boy name in America. While David has become less dominant in recent decades — now more often appearing in the top 30 than the top five — it remains a solid choice for families looking to shake things up a bit.
Deborah/Debra
This is a two-for-one, as variations of Deborah made the list twice in the 1950s. Deborah — inspired by The King and I and An Affair to Remember star Deborah Kerr — ranked as the fifth most popular name, while Debra — as in The Ten Commandments star Debra Paget — followed closely at seventh.
William
William was a solid choice for literary-minded parents in the 1950s, as they saw bylines from figures like William S. Burroughs, William Goldman, and William F. Buckley Jr. in books and magazines. The name feels both timeless and modern, as it continues to rank in the top 10 of baby names today. It’s also perfect for parents who appreciate versatility, offering a range of nickname options like Will, Willy, Bill, or Billy.
Barbara
There’s already evidence that Barbara, inspired by All About Eve actress Barbara Bates, is making a comeback. In America, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reports that it was one of the fastest-growing baby names last year, jumping 87 spots in rank from the previous year. Could this be the start of a meteoric rise? Only time will tell.
Richard
In the ’50s, the name Richard was associated with several major musical figures, from Broadway composer Richard Rodgers to rock and roll legend Little Richard. While the name had already peaked — ranking in the top five during the ’30s and ’40s — it remains a versatile choice today. Variants like Richard, Ricky, and Ricardo still make appearances on top baby name lists in both the US and UK.
Thomas
Whether it’s Thomas, Tom, or Tommy — like Lassie star Tommy Rettig — the name has proven to be a steadfast classic. The lowest it ever ranked in the US was 63rd, in 2011 and 2012, and it has been steadily rising since then. Could it make a return to the top 10?
Karen
Any name has the potential for a comeback, but Karen has a bit of an uphill climb. However, there are plenty of influential Karen role models from the ’50s and beyond, like Babette’s Feast writer Karen Blixen, as well as musicians Karen Carpenter and Karen O. With such strong associations, it might just be time for a well-deserved reclamation of the name.
Mark
Mark, like Cry Vengeance actor/director Mark Stevens, is a name that consistently shows up on the SSA list but rarely cracks the top five — and the ’50s were no exception. Today, it remains a great choice for those seeking a short, four-letter boy’s name that fits well with current naming trends.
Nancy
Dating back centuries, Nancy is a classic girl’s name with traditional undertones. With it’s Middle English roots, it acts as a fun spin on names like Agnes and Anne. Anne’s Hebrew and Greek roots translate it to “grace” or “favoured” and can be perfectly suited to your bundle of joy. as in Nancy Berg. It’s also the name of the actress and host of Count Sheep With Nancy Berg, which in 1955 aired every night at 1 am and lasted only 5 minutes.
Charles
While still a popular choice, the name Charles — like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes star Charles Coburn — has been on a downward trend since its peak in 1929, reaching its lowest point in 2009. However, with the coronation of King Charles III, this royal connection could give the name a significant boost and bring it back into the spotlight.
Donna
In the 1950s, the name Donna was everywhere. It topped the radio waves with Richie Valens’s 1958 hit ‘Donna’ and graced the small screen with The Donna Reed Show. For anyone looking to reclaim the name and restore it to its former glory, the opportunity is wide open.
Cynthia
The name Cynthia, inspired by actress and Jack Lemmon’s wife Cynthia Stone, is linked to the goddess Artemis and the moon. While celestial names are still popular today, you’re much more likely to come across a Luna than a Cynthia in modern times.
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