The Social Security Administration’s annual baby name list only includes names given to 5 or more U.S. baby girls (or baby boys) per year.
Most rare names never make the list, but a select group have appeared a single time. I like to call these the one-hit wonder baby names.
One-hit wonders tend to pop up with a relatively low number of babies — 5 or 6 — but a handful are given to dozens of babies…only to disappear again the next year! Intriguing, no?
Below are the highest-charting one-hit wonder names for every year on record before 2013. (We won’t know which 2013 names are one-hit wonders until later lists come out.) The format is: “Girl name(s), number of baby girls; Boy name(s), number of baby boys.”
- 1880: none; Merida, 5
- 1881: Zilpah, 9; Roll, 5
- 1882: none; none
- 1883: none; none
- 1884: none; none
- 1885: Lelie, 5; Ng & Sip, 5
- 1886: Ottillie, 5; none
- 1887: none; Pembroke, 5
- 1888: Etelka & Pantha, 5; Bengiman, 5
- 1889: Litta & Roxa, 5; Edw & Profit, 5
- 1890: Modeste, 8; none
- 1891: Dorilla & Euphemie, 5; Navajo, 5
- 1892: none; Whitelaw & Wint, 5
- 1893: Hedwige, 7; Pomp, 5
- 1894: Onezia, 5; Bess, 5
- 1895: Isal, 7; none
- 1896: Phenie, 5; none
- 1897: Phronie, 5; Rhoda, 7
- 1898: Maine, 9; Schley, 10
- 1899: Pellie, 5; none
- 1900: Henrettia & Ursule, 6; Bruster, 5
- 1901: Kinnie, 5; none
- 1902: Azema & Lelea, 5; none
- 1903: Pheobie, 7; none
- 1904: Berthal, 6; none
- 1905: Mintha, 5; Pioet, 5
- 1906: Nellda, Ocey & Clevia, 5; none
- 1907: Leecy, Odra & Oklahoma, 5; Lanham, 6
- 1908: Artena, Essye, Malvie & Oshie, 5; none
- 1909: Argatha, 5; none
- 1910: Leneve, 7; Capus, 5
- 1911: Gaither, 6; Caro & Lavette, 5
- 1912: Gustina, Iras, Leavy & Senona, 6; Edlow, 7
- 1913: Nixola & Oleane, 6; Gaillard & Rumsey, 6
- 1914: Vica, 8; Secondo, 9
- 1915: Desda & Vonie, 8; Zygmond, 10
- 1916: Alvene, Bleeker, Cloteen, Deelda, Duffie, Iota, Maggielean, Matrona, Mealie, Mishie, Ortrude, Sirkka, Truma, Valasta, Valesta, Valrea & Ysobel, 6; Hafford, 9
- 1917: Florenz & Lutrelle, 9; Annis, Clermont, Loddie, Onslow, Rosswell & Runar, 7
- 1918: Theophila, 10; Hobby, 9
- 1919: Johnniemae, 9; Lorrain, 10
- 1920: Dardenella, 9; Mosby, 9
- 1921: Garnelle, 11; Ive, 9
- 1922: Donaldine, 12; Crafton, 9
- 1923: Giovina & Varena, 8; Arbon, Birchel & Wolcott, 7
- 1924: Klyda, 10; Modell, 9
- 1925: Ivaline & Valoyce, 8; Evell & Walford, 8
- 1926: Narice, 13; Lafon & Nola, 9
- 1927: Genena, Milarain & Seroba, 8; Dalhart, Junor, Maclyn & Mutsuo, 8
- 1928: Boneva, Geane, Lenard, Loeda & Louvene, 7; Dormon, Hearman, Hover & Shoso, 7
- 1929: Miladeen, 9; Edsol, 8
- 1930: Earnease, Lunelle, Magnola & Rhoena, 6; Elice, 7
- 1931: Dixianna & Vergean, 7; Leroyce, 7
- 1932: Dolorese, 9; Mannon, 7
- 1933: Garnieta, 8; Vondal, 7
- 1934: Delaris, Derene, Ervene, Myrline & Rheata, 6; Cardis, Carloss, Cleophes, Dockie, Exie, Pettus & Shelvie, 6
- 1935: Nerita, 14; Deuel, 8
- 1936: Arolyn & Verilea, 7; Rolyn, 8
- 1937: Noreda, 17; Seavy, 6
- 1938: Clione, 16; Dall & Vallee, 6
- 1939: Melsa, 9; Karrol, 7
- 1940: Lindola, 13; Willkie, 13
- 1941: Shirey, 7; Saford, 11
- 1942: Arvina, Floranne, Kaaran & Roine, 6; Macarther, 10
- 1943: Jerdine, 7; Deming, Dilworth, Eugne, Keener, Rhodell, Rothwell & Sammul, 5
- 1944: Carolsue, 11; Condy, Hennry, Lemmon & Persell, 5
- 1945: Diedri, 10; Kermon, 6
- 1946: Darlia, 13; Cotis, Dowl, Lohn, Rouldph, Royace, Sherryl, Speedy & Trudy, 5
- 1947: Junellen, 12; Brookie; 7
- 1948: Gwyned, 9; Beasley, 6
- 1949: Jerrilyne, 9; Bradbury, Bradfield, Buckey, Hubie, Jubentino, Kurth, Nickola, Varnum & Waynne, 5
- 1950: Gladystine, 9; Cresenciano, Frosty & Thurnell, 6
- 1951: Glenalee & Lynnis, 9; Bronnie & Marvine, 8
- 1952: Charliss, 7; Gevan, 12
- 1953: Judalon, 11; Credell, Larrey & Uldis, 7
- 1954: Lilette & Ufemia, 7; Corneall, Danail, Derf, Luann & Michie, 6
- 1955: Dainette, 14; Christophel, 9
- 1956: Tirrell, 13; Auddie & Naymon, 7
- 1957: Theonita, 17; Melivn, 7
- 1958: Deedy & Lanor, 8; Brete, 7
- 1959: Rapunzel, 9; Tomm, 8
- 1960: Devy, 27; Andamo, 15
- 1961: Shurla, 17; Jefre, 21
- 1962: Perette, 16; Daphne & Schell, 7
- 1963: Chrysanne, 12; Darrayl & Daryell, 8
- 1964: Deeneen, 12; Deneen & Kenndy, 7
- 1965: Timolyn, 9; Alfonson & Marichal, 8
- 1966: Agena, 15; Alfy, 15
- 1967: Malette, 20; Antal, 8
- 1968: Ondina, 15; Berto, Christoopher, Deith, Mardi, Redginald & Yoram, 6
- 1969: Dameron, 15; Shoan, 9
- 1970: Dardi, 14; Cosmos, 9
- 1971: Anjanet, 9; Demea, 12
- 1972: Tyhessia, 17; Christerphor, 8
- 1973: Desheila, 18; Chandar, 13
- 1974: Charnissa, 32; Sirica, 8
- 1975: Russchelle, 24; Darweshi, Tchalla & Unborn, 8
- 1976: Norlisha, 16; Lebrone, 8
- 1977: Kashka, 16; Ebay, 12
- 1978: Kushana, 23; Quarterrio & Travolta, 11
- 1979: Kitzie, 27; Dilanjan & Terdell, 13
- 1980: Nykeba, 26; Kimario, 13
- 1981: Tijwana, 18; Cetric & Dharmesh, 8
- 1982: Ebelina, 11; Chachi & Chezarae, 9
- 1983: Shadava, 25; Tio, 12
- 1984: Meghaan, 36; Quisto & Ragene, 9
- 1985: Miceala, 16; Sophan, 8
- 1986: Shaquenta, 13; Sarith, 11
- 1987: Condola & Shayeeda, 12; Calbe, 9
- 1988: Armisha, 16; Nattiel, 10
- 1989:
- Alexandr, 301; Christop, 1082 (glitch names)
- Cesilie, 10; Madeleine, 10 (non-glitch names)
- 1990: Jakkia & Shawnic, 16; Pajtim, 13
- 1991: Deangelis & Jeniqua, 13; Quaysean, 11
- 1992: Caleesha, 17; Kendrae, 11
- 1993: Solmaira, 15; Shanquille, 9
- 1994: Mccaela, 20; Dontonio, 11
- 1995: Shieda, 14; Jamiroquan, 13
- 1996: Sidea, 13; Jervontae, 12
- 1997: Dessiah & Jachai, 10; Versace, 10
- 1998: Rosisela, 14; Tamija, 14
- 1999: Ukari, 16; Tyreace, 9
- 2000: Daebreon & Jadakiss, 13; Zaykeese, 13
- 2001: Joharis, 12; Kya, 13
- 2002: Eshanti, 27; Albieri, 12
- 2003: Saribel, 22; Amareion, 12
- 2004: Janayra, 12; Mikayla & Quanye, 11
- 2005: Milenka, 13; Johnbenedict, 14
- 2006: Sarela, 26; Sunel, 14
- 2007: Aidsa & Madelis, 30; Joset, 11
- 2008: Yaindhi, 29; Jometh, 23
- 2009: Shastelyn, 34; Tyten, 11
- 2010: Rossibell, 17; Coopar, 14
- 2011: Jocell, 31; Maurkice, 13
- 2012: Jeiza, 12; Chander, Drexton, Dristan, Elimelec, Hadeed, Khodee & Vardhan, 8
- 2013: Jennicka, 15; Jaiceion, 11
- 2014: Hannaley, 21; Zacardi, 11
- 2015: Nadyalee, 17; Jersen, 21
See anything interesting?
Some of the above — Narice (1926), Saford (1941), Gevan (1952) and Jefre (1961) — are also on the top debuts list.
Lists of the most popular one-hit girl names and one-hit boy names of all time are coming tomorrow and Wednesday…
Update, 5/24/16 – Just revised the 2012 names and added the 2013 and 2014 names.
Update, 5/24/17 – Made some revisions and added the 2015 names.
