How popular is the baby name Candy in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Candy.

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Popularity of the baby name Candy


Posts that mention the name Candy

What gave the baby name Troylene a boost?

Candy Barr and daughter Troylene, 1963
Candy Barr & Troylene, 1963

The rare name Troylene has appeared in the U.S. baby name data just three times total. It debuted in 1951, then popped up again twice in the 1960s:

  • 1966: unlisted
  • 1965: 5 baby girls named Troylene
  • 1964: unlisted
  • 1963: 13 baby girls named Troylene [peak]
    • 6 born in California
  • 1962: unlisted
  • […unlisted…]
  • 1952: unlisted
  • 1951: 5 baby girls named Troylene [debut]
  • 1950: unlisted

The peak usage in 1963 is easy to explain, so we’ll start there.

In the early ’60s, Dallas burlesque dancer “Candy Barr” (birth name: Juanita Dale Slusher) served over three years of a fifteen-year prison sentence for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Just after she was released in April of 1963, a few photographs of Candy and her 7-year-old daughter Troylene ran in the newspapers. (Troylene’s father was Candy’s second husband, Troy Phillips.)

…So that explains the ’60s. What about the ’50s?

The reason for the debut is trickier to pinpoint — and there may not be a specific reason at all. (“Troylene” may have emerged organically as a variant of trendy names like Darlene and Charlene.)

That said, I do have two theories:

  • First, a New Mexico cowgirl named Troylene Boykin (b. 1943). She participated in various kids’ rodeos during the early ’50s, so her name periodically popped up in Southern newspapers starting around 1951. (Sadly, Troylene Boykin died of a heart ailment in 1956.)
  • Second, a Texas baby named Zanneta Troylene McKnight (b. 1951). Her twin brother, Clifton Troyce McKnight, was born with an “upside down” stomach (congenital diaphragmatic hernia) and required major surgery soon after they were born in mid-November. They were both highlighted in the local news at that time.

It’s interesting to note that most of the 20th-century Troylenes I found records for were born in Texas, and a good number of them had fathers named Troy. The twins’ father was a Troy, for instance.

What do you think of the baby name Troylene?

Sources:

  • Cartwright, Gary. “Say “Cheesecake”.” Texas Monthly Jan. 1986: 280.
  • “Winters Baby’s ‘Upside Down’ Stomach Set Right by Surgery.” Abilene Reporter-News 8 Dec. 1951: 25.

Contrarian baby names: Cliff, Janet, Steve, Wanda…

corn

“Everly” is hot…”Beverly” is not. It’s a one-letter difference between fashionable and fusty.

If you’re sensitive to style, you’ll prefer Everly. It fits with today’s trends far better than Beverly does.

But if you’re someone who isn’t concerned about style, or prefers to go against style, then you may not automatically go for Everly. In fact, you may be more attracted to Beverly because it’s the choice that most modern parents would avoid.

If you’ve ever thought about intentionally giving your baby a dated name (like Debbie, Grover, Marcia, or Vernon) for the sake of uniqueness within his/her peer group — if you have no problem sacrificing style for distinctiveness — then this list is for you.

Years ago, the concept of “contrarian” baby names came up in the comments of a post about Lois. Ever since then, creating a collection of uncool/contrarian baby names has been on my to-do list.

Finally, last month, I experimented with various formulas for pulling unstylish baby names out of the SSA dataset. Keeping the great-grandparent rule in mind, I aimed for names that would have been fashionable among the grandparents of today’s babies. The names below are the best results I got.

Contrarian Baby Names: Girls

Alberta
Anita
Ann
Annetta
Annette
Bambi
Becky
Benita
Bertha
Bessie
Beth
Betty
Beverley
Beverly
Blanche
Bobbie
Bobby
Bonita
Candy
Caren
Carlene
Carol
Carole
Cary
Caryn
Cathleen
Cathy
Charla
Charlene
Charmaine
Cheri
Cherie
Cheryl
Chris
Christi
Cindy
Claudette
Coleen
Colleen
Connie
Dale
Danette
Danita
Darlene
Dawn
Dawna
Deanne
Debbie
Debora
Debra
Deirdre
Delores
Denice
Denise
Diane
Dianna
Dianne
Dollie
Dolores
Dona
Donna
Doreen
Dori
Doris
Dorthy
Eddie
Edwina
Ernestine
Ethel
Gail
Gayle
Gena
Geralyn
Germaine
Gilda
Glenda
Glenna
Harriett
Jackie
Janet
Janice
Janis
Jayne
Jean
Jeanette
Jeanie
Jeanine
Jeanne
Jeannette
Jeannie
Jeannine
Jeri
Jerri
Jerry
Jill
Jimmie
Jo
Joan
Joann
Joanne
Jodi
Jody
Joellen
Joni
Juanita
Judi
Judy
Juli
Kandi
Karin
Kathie
Kathy
Kay
Kaye
Kerrie
Kerry
Kim
Kimberley
Kitty
Kris
Kristi
Ladonna
Laureen
Lauretta
Laurie
Lavonne
Lee
Leesa
Lois
Lorene
Lori
Lorie
Lorinda
Lorna
Lorraine
Lorrie
Lou
Louann
Lu
Luann
Luanne
Lucretia
Lupe
Lyn
Lynda
Lynn
Lynne
Madonna
Marcia
Marcy
Margie
Mariann
Marianne
Marla
Marsha
Maryjo
Maureen
Meg
Melba
Melinda
Melva
Michele
Migdalia
Mitzi
Myrna
Nanette
Nelda
Nicki
Nita
Norma
Pamela
Patrice
Patsy
Patti
Patty
Pauline
Peggy
Pennie
Phyllis
Randy
Reba
Rene
Rhonda
Rita
Robbie
Robbin
Roberta
Robin
Rochelle
Ronda
Rosanne
Roseann
Roxane
Roxann
Sandy
Saundra
Sharon
Sheila
Shelia
Shelley
Shelly
Sheri
Sherri
Sherry
Sheryl
Shirley
Sondra
Sue
Susanne
Suzan
Suzanne
Tammie
Tammy
Tena
Teri
Terri
Terry
Thelma
Theresa
Therese
Tina
Tonia
Tonya
Tracey
Traci
Tracie
Tracy
Treva
Trina
Trudy
Velma
Verna
Vicki
Vickie
Vicky
Wanda
Wendy
Willie
Wilma
Yolanda
Yvonne

Contrarian Baby Names: Boys

Adolph
Al
Alford
Alphonso
Arne
Arnie
Arnold
Artie
Barry
Barton
Bennie
Bernard
Bernie
Bert
Bill
Billie
Bob
Bobbie
Brad
Bradford
Brent
Bret
Britt
Bud
Buddy
Burl
Burt
Butch
Carey
Carleton
Carlton
Carmen
Carroll
Cary
Cecil
Chester
Chuck
Clarence
Claude
Cletus
Cleveland
Cliff
Clifford
Clifton
Columbus
Curt
Curtiss
Dale
Dan
Dana
Dannie
Darrel
Darryl
Daryl
Dave
Davie
Del
Delbert
Dell
Delmer
Denny
Derwin
Dewey
Dirk
Don
Donnie
Donny
Doug
Douglass
Doyle
Duane
Dudley
Duwayne
Dwain
Dwaine
Dwane
Dwight
Earl
Earnest
Ed
Edsel
Elbert
Ernie
Farrell
Floyd
Fred
Freddie
Fredric
Gale
Garland
Garry
Garth
Gene
Geoffrey
Gerard
Gerry
Gilbert
Glen
Glenn
Greg
Gregg
Greggory
Grover
Guy
Hal
Haywood
Herbert
Herman
Homer
Horace
Howell
Hubert
Irwin
Jackie
Jame
Jeff
Jefferey
Jeffry
Jerald
Jerold
Jess
Jim
Jimmie
Jodie
Jody
Johnie
Johnnie
Karl
Kelly
Ken
Kenney
Kennith
Kent
Kermit
Kerry
Kim
Kirk
Kraig
Kurt
Laurence
Lawrance
Len
Lenard
Lennie
Les
Leslie
Lester
Lindell
Lindsay
Lindsey
Linwood
Lloyd
Lonnie
Lonny
Loren
Lorin
Lowell
Loyd
Lynn
Marion
Marty
Matt
Maxie
Mel
Merle
Merrill
Mickel
Mickey
Millard
Milton
Mitch
Mitchel
Monty
Neal
Ned
Nicky
Norbert
Norman
Norris
Orville
Perry
Pete
Phil
Ralph
Randal
Randel
Randell
Randolph
Rayford
Rick
Rickey
Rickie
Rob
Robby
Robin
Rock
Rodger
Rogers
Rojelio
Rolf
Ron
Roosevelt
Rudolfo
Rudolph
Rufus
Russ
Rusty
Sal
Sammie
Sandy
Sanford
Scot
Sherman
Sherwood
Skip
Stan
Stanford
Steve
Stevie
Stewart
Stuart
Sylvester
Tad
Ted
Terence
Thurman
Tim
Timmothy
Timmy
Tod
Todd
Tom
Tommie
Toney
Tracey
Tracy
Val
Vernell
Vernon
Waymon
Wendell
Wilbert
Wilbur
Wilford
Wilfred
Willard
Willis
Winfred
Woody

Interestingly, thirteen of the names above — Bobbie, Cary, Dale, Jackie, Jimmie, Jody, Kerry, Kim, Lynn, Robin, Sandy, Tracey, Tracy — managed to make both lists.

Now some questions for you…

Do you like any of these names? Would you be willing to use any of them on a modern-day baby? Why or why not?

Girl names beyond the top 1,000 of 2010

stars

Have you seen any of the most popular baby girl names beyond the top 1,000 yet? If not, here they are — down to the names that were given to 100 babies each last year. The 1,000th most popular girl name was Dania, given to 249 babies, and after Dania comes…

  • 249: Yadira [tied with Dania]
  • 248: Charlize, Estella, Jacey, Sariyah, Sky, Sloan, Tia, Yuliana
  • 247: Tanya
  • 246: Amaris, Desirae, Frida, Kaila
  • 245: Braylee, Essence, Karley, Kianna
  • 244: none
  • 243: Abrielle, Annette, Valery
  • 242: Alaya, Rory, Samiyah, Sanai
  • 241: Delia
  • 240: Blake, Chasity, Izabelle, Lillyana, Nahla, Shaila
  • 239: Cambria, Jana, Kaylah
  • 238: Dalilah, Evalyn, Renata
  • 237: Coraline, Jessa, Kaley, Kensley
  • 236: Brittney, Miya, Roxanne
  • 235: Annabell, Ashtyn, Dorothy, Giavanna, Janice
  • 234: Aya, Calista, Cierra, Julieta, Rivka, Saanvi, Samira
  • 233: Monserrat
  • 232: Aliah, Jaslyn, Makaila
  • 231: Areli, Bentley, Gracyn
  • 230: Blakely, Brissa, Iyana, Iyanna, Karis, Laurel, Leticia, Maryjane, Noor
  • 229: Bryn, Celine, Emory, Kayley, Kendyl, Leigha, Mariela, Taya
  • 228: Annalee, Jersey, Magdalena, Raylee, Sofie, Taniya
  • 227: Kamari, Kyndal, Melinda, Tamara, Unique
  • 226: Amalia, Ashanti, Kailynn, Kristin
  • 225: Brookelynn, Gretchen, Jamiyah, Karleigh, Suri
  • 224: Ashly
  • 223: Kya, Vienna, Zaniya
  • 222: Blair, Hailie, Krista, Noa, Yasmine, Zahra
  • 221: Johana, Kamiyah
  • 220: Cayla, Dallas, Joelle, Malaysia, Zainab
  • 219: Lesley
  • 218: Christiana
  • 217: Audrianna, Bayleigh, Elissa, Susana, Winter
  • 216: Lyra, Promise
  • 215: Dayanara, Emmalynn, Lucero, Selina
  • 214: Ashleigh, Keely, Nova, Nyah
  • 213: Harlee, Taniyah
  • 212: Abbygail, Keeley, Shaniyah
  • 211: Abigayle, Analise, Elliot, Jaleah, Nalani, Sally, Shyann, Temperance
  • 210: Cristal, Kori
  • 209: Adison, Aurelia, Cassie, Lianna
  • 208: Annaliese, Gillian, Landry, Milana, Rhea, Vivien
  • 207: Caleigh, Darlene, Emani, Geraldine, Gina, Luisa, Marian, Rileigh, Tiara
  • 206: Antonia, Arlene, Kamille
  • 205: Anjali, Chelsey, Colette, Izzabella, Jordin, Juniper, Kaycee, Laniya, Maribel, Marleigh
  • 204: Aviana, Katia
  • 203: Addie, Ariyah, Channing, Emmaline, Jalynn, Jazzlyn, Scarlette
  • 202: Galilea, Joslynn, Marin, Mercy, Reece
  • 201: Abrianna, Colleen, Denisse, Samiya, Treasure
  • 200: Kamora, Naima, Rebeca
  • 199: Aanya, Kaidence, Kamilah, Maycee, Romina
  • 198: Izabel, Malak, Marlie, Nyasia, Sarina, Tinsley
  • 197: Amyah, Aubrianna, Joselin, Lidia
  • 196: Carli, Harmoni, Jackeline, Kaleah, Kayli, Makiyah, Nariah, Shea, Soraya
  • 195: Ailyn, Anneliese, Ellison, Fallon, Remi
  • 194: Kamya, Tayla, Tyler
  • 193: Aditi, Elayna, Jailyn, Mireya
  • 192: Ariyana, Berkley, Kenia, Liv, Milena, Nicolette, Soleil
  • 191: Arden, Lillyanna, Maura, Vivianna
  • 190: Aubri, Avianna, Kathy, Lizette, Sonya, Yvette
  • 189: Alanah, Carson, Elly, Peighton, Shayna
  • 188: Evangelina, Laci, Maren
  • 187: Elyssa, Jamiya, Keila, Makaylah, Yara
  • 186: Emme, Graciela, Gwyneth
  • 185: Bonnie, Ellery, Elliott, Keily, Kenadie, Lucinda, Silvia
  • 184: Ananya, Astrid, Kailani, Maiya, Sunny, Wren
  • 183: Anais, Deja, Everleigh, Shreya, Tatianna
  • 182: Blanca, Elina, Sheila
  • 181: Amayah, Honesty, Lanie, Maite
  • 180: Kalia, Katy, Saylor
  • 179: Ashton, Citlali, Karmen, Mika
  • 178: Cordelia, Destini, Hunter, Lacie, Selene, Stevie, Tinley
  • 177: Alli, Annelise, Caelyn, Carrie, Celina, Dani, Jasmyn, Jazmyne, Kaci, Paislee, Toni
  • 176: Destiney, Gisele, Mabel, Rita, Sandy, Yarely
  • 175: Brandy, Brookelyn, Caitlynn, Estefany, Jaclyn, Kora, Mackenna, Marely
  • 174: Amariah, Amia, Deasia, Jaedyn, Justine
  • 173: Adamaris, Emmie, Nichole, Preslee, Rilee, Shirley
  • 172: Calleigh, Jaycie, Lilyann, Maddie
  • 171: Anita, Antonella, Bridgette, Lillyan
  • 170: Kalyn, Kirra, Sahara
  • 169: Analy, Kamiya, Lacy, Litzy, Mariajose, Maylee, Zaira
  • 168: Alex, Avani, Eunice, Jenesis, Monique, Nya, Wynter
  • 167: Ariyanna, Dina, Margarita, Nikki, Roxana
  • 166: Asha, Kacey, Karolina, Raya
  • 165: Estefani, Haidyn, Harleigh, Hillary, Josselyn, Kalea, Melia, Priya, Star
  • 164: Azalea, Drew, Lillyann, Magnolia, Miyah, Natali
  • 163: Ayden, Ayva, Gwen
  • 162: Alora, Aniah, Elana, Rhianna, Xochitl
  • 161: Aubry, Colbie, Devin, Freya, Milani, Noelia, Pyper, Rhiannon
  • 160: Audra, Faye, Jael, Kaylani, Maxine, Mayte, Nelly, Roxanna
  • 159: Adrian, Alessia, Carsyn, Everly, Gwenyth, Noel, Samaria, Tina, Ziva
  • 158: Alize, Amerie, Carter, Stacey
  • 157: Brylie, Camdyn, Dayanna, Emerie, Leena, Louisa, Robin, Yaretzy
  • 156: Brandi, Breana, Dalila, Eryn, Samya, Tayler
  • 155: Estelle, Kahlan, Margot, Veda
  • 154: Abygail, Aida, Alexi, Belle, Betsy, Christian, Coral, Jacklyn, Kalli, Tatyana
  • 153: Aubriana, Hattie, Jacie, Jaya, Marcella, Mylah, Rocio
  • 152: Aubrielle, Beatriz, Delanie, Ila, Lilyan, Meagan, Robyn, Savana
  • 151: Darby, Ellianna, Janie, Malina, Penny
  • 150: Allyssa, Bryana, Isha, Priscila, Susanna, Zahara
  • 149: Anissa, Brynley, Carol, Constance, Ellis, Geneva, Gizelle, Halo, Jasleen, Joana, Sahana
  • 148: Amberly, Anniston, Cailey, Farah, Nadine, Nailah, Rosalyn, Scout, Sheyla
  • 147: Adelle, Arlette, Austyn, Berenice, Estefania, Evalynn, Kaniyah, Lluvia, Makenzi, Mariella, Ryley, Shaelyn
  • 146: Elia, Josslyn, Louise, Mayah, Nariyah, Zoya
  • 145: Alianna, Capri, Ginger, Jaslynn, Katerina, Khloee, Kinlee, Linnea
  • 144: Anaiah, Ericka, Hadleigh, Juana, Keziah, Raniyah, Vida
  • 143: Arleth, Brea, Fabiola, Flor, Jaeda, Katlyn, Lela, Lucie, Maylin
  • 142: Darcy, Dasia, Jalyn, Rilynn, Sylvie, Taelyn
  • 141: Aniston, Chyna, Emmaleigh, Janaya, Trista, Zaylee
  • 140: Chiara, Emmeline, Thea
  • 139: Alyse, Candice, Carmella, Cayleigh, Kyrie, Yaneli, Yulissa
  • 138: Alasia, Darla, Diane, Leilany, Lilli, Paulette
  • 137: Amora, Cielo, Jurnee, Kacie, Makiya, Marlen, Reilly
  • 136: Alexandrea, Alyssia, Anayah, Andi, Holland, Keren, Sahasra, Yahaira
  • 135: Aja, Issabella, Kelis, Malayah
  • 134: Adaline, Addelyn, Anali, Ayah, Ema, Emalee, Layna, Leanne, Londynn, Triniti
  • 133: Adilene, Adilyn, Avril, Cailin, Calla, Charlene, Elisha, Jazlene, Melani, Yessenia
  • 132: Analeigh, Candace, Clementine, Kloey, Yolanda
  • 131: Alexys, Anisa, Ari, Della, Leela, Milania
  • 130: Aven, Cloe, Danae, Dianna, Grayson, Keegan
  • 129: Annmarie, Betty, Brianne, Calli, Kenleigh, Malka, Skylah, Taleah, Trisha
  • 128: Annaleigh, Avalyn, Baileigh, Brynna, Grecia, Harlie, Harmonie, Jaela, Katarina, Makaela, Maliya, Melisa
  • 127: Adela, Jackelyn, Janya, Jazelle, Jianna, Kennadi, Marjorie
  • 126: Andie, Felicia, Jorja, Kaily, Katharine, Mallorie, Mari, Milla, Ramona, Vianney, Yvonne
  • 125: Daniyah, Jayna, Kalani, Katalina, Kelsi, Kiya, Kristine, Rayleigh, Remy, Shira, Starr, Tracy
  • 124: Christy, Hadlee, Jovie, Naya, Shakira
  • 123: Adalee, Addilynn, Beatrix, Kami, Kenadee, Maisie, Rania, Solange, Yuna
  • 122: Alysa, Aminah, Claira, Elora, Emmerson, Isadora, Jaci, Jiselle, Kinslee, Marcela, Rosie
  • 121: Anisha, Avalon, Cayden, Citlaly, Eleni, Jenifer, Kasandra, Madisen, Makinley, Nala, Roxy, Samaya
  • 120: Camden, Ivette, Jeanette, Judy, Montserrat, Quincy, Taylar, Whitley
  • 119: Adrianne, Angely, Arianny, Baylie, Daria, Ester, Jahzara, Kenzi, Makyla, Remington, Tallulah
  • 118: Addalyn, Ebony, Emerald, Jaquelin, Leann, Martina, Maryann, Nikita, Poppy, Vanesa
  • 117: Aime, Audree, Ela, Emalyn, Heavenly, Malena, Melodie, Nellie, Oakley, Rachelle, Stormy, Viola
  • 116: Alonna, Brooklynne, Dior, Jaila, Lupita, Rosario, Taylin, Vianey, Yuridia
  • 115: Adamari, Audrie, Chandler, Jamiah, Kalina, Kaniya, Kayle, Randi, Xitlali
  • 114: Alba, Allegra, Ariela, Charis, Collins, Ivory, Joseline, Kamdyn, Kaylan, Lourdes, Norma, Saniah
  • 113: Alliyah, Alysha, Briza, Flora, Kari, Kensington, Maryn, Sade, Taytum, Yasmeen
  • 112: Anaiya, Brook, Ciera, Davina, Elli, Katheryn, Khadija, Madysen, Mindy, Roslyn, Semaj, Yael
  • 111: Adina, Amaria, Ania, Anushka, August, Carys, Frankie, Gitty, Jalaya, Janay, Kenlee, Nayla, Neha, Ria, Shoshana, Siri, Taylee
  • 110: Alea, Ariya, Cambree, Devon, Juanita, Khloie, Lisette, Lori, Lynn, Persephone, Prisha, Teegan
  • 109: Aila, Braylin, Breonna, Cianna, Emi, Jalissa, Jessalyn, Johannah, Jolee, Magdalene, Mariel, Shay, Skylee, Zoee
  • 108: Annamarie, Gracey, Haily, Iman, Julisa, Kaileigh, Laken, Lamya, Loren, Raylynn, Rhyan, Sanjana, Sonja, Yoselyn
  • 107: Addysen, Analee, Avalynn, Aymar, Giulianna, Haiden, Henley, Kaliah, Kamaria, Lyndsey, Mylie, Seraphina, Tanisha
  • 106: Aiden, Annalisa, Arionna, Blessing, Carrington, Dafne, Jesse, Kaydance, Lynette, May, Rhylee, Rylynn, Samia, Sol, Veronika
  • 105: Adilynn, Britany, Cameryn, Chevelle, Ciana, Jackie, Josalyn, Mariya, Raleigh, Skylynn, Sydnie, Tristyn, Zaina
  • 104: Aleksandra, Alycia, Anijah, Elysia, Jennah, Kristy, Lexus, Lexy, Liyah, Sabina, Tyra, Vicky
  • 103: Akshara, Alysia, Anaiyah, Araya, Brinlee, Dasha, Elinor, Giulia, Gladys, Jena, Joanne, Katelin, Kinleigh, Mandy, Myka, Preslie, Rylin, Sydni, Taliah, Violette, Ysabella, Zayla
  • 102: Ariadna, Azucena, Divya, Jacquelin, Joey, Karely, Khloey, Makiah, Miabella, Neriah, Olyvia, Ruthie, Saphira, Tanvi, Zaida
  • 101: Candy, Daira, Isobel, Jailynn, Janette, Janyla, Jessenia, Jiya, Kalista, Luella, Meera, Navaeh, Niya, Rain, Sana, Valencia, Zooey
  • 100: Aleyah, Alysson, Ayesha, Corina, Egypt, Imogen, Italia, Karmyn, Sariya, Zariya

Here’s the equivalent boys’ list for 2010.

Update, Aug. 2023: “Girl names beyond the top 1,000 of 2022” is a more recent version of this list.

Source: SSA

Image: Adapted from Scattered stars in Sagittarius by ESA/Hubble under CC BY 4.0.

Baby girl gets 139 names: Tracy Mariclaire Lisa…

John and Margaret Nelson of Chesterfield, England, welcomed a baby girl at the very end of 1985. They named their daughter Tracy, but that’s not all they named her. This is Tracy’s full name:

Tracy Mariclaire Lisa Tammy Samantha Christine Alexandra Candy Bonnie Ursala Zoe Nichola Patricia Lynda Kate Jean Sandra Karren Julie Jane Elizabeth Felicity Gabriella Jackie Corina Constance Arabella Clara Honor Geraldine Fiona Erika Fillippa Anabel Elsie Amanda Cheryl Alanna Louisa Angie Beth Crystal Dawn Debbie Eileen Grace Susan Rebecca Valerie Kay Lena Margaret Anna Amy Carol Bella Avril Ava Audry Andrea Daphne Donna Cynthia Cassie Christabel Vivien Wendy Moira Jennifer Abbie Adelaide Carrissa Carla Anne Astrid Barbara Charissa Catalina Bonny Dee Hazel Iris Anthea Clarinda Bernadette Cara Alison Carrie Angela Beryl Caroline Emma Dana Vanessa Zara Violet Lynn Maggie Pamela Rosemary Ruth Cathlene Alexandrina Annette Hilary Diana Angelina Carrinna Victoria Sara Mandy Annabella Beverly Bridget Cecilia Catherine Brenda Jessica Isbella Delilah Camila Candace Helen Connie Charmaine Dorothy Melinda Nancy Mariam Vicki Selina Miriam Norma Pauline Toni Penny Shari Zsa-zsa Queenie Nelson

That’s 139 given names and 1 surname.

Why did John and Margaret do this to their daughter? According to John, “We just wanted to give her something for when she grows up.”

A reason that makes complete sense, of course.

Speaking of things that make sense, let’s pick out some of the needless repetition:

  • Alexandra (#7) and Alexandrina (#103)
  • Amanda (#36) and Mandy (#111)
  • Angela (#89), Angie (#40) and Angelina (#107)
  • Anna (#33), Anne (#74) and Annette (#104)
  • Bella (#56), Annabella (#112), Arabella (#27) and Isbella (#119)
  • Bonnie (#9) and Bonny (#79)
  • Candace (#122) and Candy (#8)
  • Carrissa (#72) and Charissa (#77)
  • Clara (#28) and Clarinda (#84)
  • Constance (#26) and Connie (#124)
  • Corina (#25) and Carrinna (#108)
  • Elizabeth (#21) and Beth (#41)
  • Margaret (#52) and Maggie (#98)
  • Mariam (#129) and Miriam (#131)
  • Victoria (#109) and Vicki (#130)
  • Zara (#95) and Sara (#110)

If you could go back in time and rename this baby, which two names (out of the 139) would you choose as her first and middle names?

Source: “Tracy for short.” Reading Eagle 24 Jan 1986: 1.