JFK was elected U.S. president in late 1960, began serving his term in early 1961, and was assassinated in Texas on November 22, 1963 (53 years ago today).
During the first half of the 1960s — especially around the time of the assassination — all three of John Fitzgerald Kennedy‘s names saw increased usage on the U.S. baby name charts. In fact, both Fitzgerald and Kennedy (as a male name) saw their highest-ever usage in 1964:
| Year | John | Fitzgerald | Kennedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 71,563 baby boys rank: 2nd |
58 baby boys rank: 970th |
122 baby boys rank: 674th |
| 1964 | 82,541 baby boys rank: 2nd |
125 baby boys rank: 691st |
230 baby boys rank: 516th |
| 1963 | 78,645 baby boys rank: 2nd |
52 baby boys (outside top 1,000) |
158 baby boys rank: 624th |
| 1962 | 78,450 baby boys rank: 3rd |
10 baby boys (outside top 1,000) |
85 baby boys rank: 828th |
| 1961 | 79,910 baby boys rank: 3rd |
24 baby boys (outside top 1,000) |
177 baby boys rank: 592nd |
| 1960 | 76,124 baby boys rank: 4th |
(fewer than 5) (outside top 1,000) |
117 baby boys rank: 723rd |
| 1959 | 76,425 baby boys rank: 4th |
(fewer than 5) (outside top 1,000) |
21 baby boys (outside top 1,000) |
And did you know that the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum maintains a small collection of correspondence regarding babies named after JFK? The collection consists of 34 items (mostly typewritten and handwritten letters/telegrams) delivered from 1960 to 1963 that document eight specific JFK namesakes. Here are most of them:
- John Kennedy Adjei, born circa 1961 in Kumasi, Ghana
- John Kennedy Grant, born in July, 1960, in Haverstraw, New York
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jones, born on July 15, 1960, in Massillon, Ohio
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy, born on August 17, 1960, at Minot AFB in North Dakota
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy, born on September 8, 1960, in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania
- John Kennedy Twyman, born on May 15, 1960, in Cincinnati, Ohio
The name Jacqueline also saw peak usage in the early 1960s. It reached 37th twice during this period: once in 1961, again in 1964. (Did you know that Jacqueline Kennedy pronounced her name “JAK-ə-leen“?)
The pronunciation you give of “Jacqueline” is the one Jackie Kennedy used, right? Not the way most Americans pronounce it. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever met an American Jacqueline who said “JAK-a-leen” (can’t write the schwa right now). JACK-a-lyn or JACK-lyn are the usual ways in my experience.
Yes, that’s the pronunciation she used. I should reword that part to make it more clear. Thanks Diane.