The baby names below saw sudden changes in usage during the 1960s thanks to the influence of historical events. I’ve written explanatory blog posts about some of them — please click the links to learn more!
To check out history-influenced baby names from other decades, visit the baby name timeline main page.
1969
1969 News: Aldrin, Neil, Apollo, Tron, Francelia, Biafra, Salimah
1969 Movie character: Barbarella
1969 Movie: Heather
1969 TV characters: Aristede, Jamison, Shana, Toosdhi, Philana, Miosotis, Julia, Corey, Johnny, Scott
1969 Actors: Tige, Keone, Diahann, Marc
1969 Literary character: Galadriel
1969 Songs: Juniper, Vance, Jude
1969 Singers: Deshannon, Donovan, Omayra
1969 Sports: Tuesdee, Trevino
1969 Products: Elan, Cantrece, Crissy
1969 Celebrity babies: Chastity, Tricia, Ennis
1969 Beauty queen: Troas
1968
1968 News: Christiaan, Coretta, Yolanda, Dexter, Che, Trenny, Torben, Lurleen
1968 Politics: Onassis
1968 Movie characters: Neely, Stassa
1968 TV characters: Laryssa, Carolee, Jemal, Josette, Angelique, Lahoma, Kelly, Shahna, Kelinda, Layle, Manolito, Lancer, Blue, Shana
1968 Actors: Dustin, Dack
1968 Literary characters: Arwen, Thorin
1968 Songs: Carrieanne, Lalena, Valleri
1968 Singer: Quetcy
1968 Musical group: Shondell
1968 Sports: Orenthal, Alcindor
1968 Product: Charisma
1968 Celebrity baby: Maryum
1967
1967 News: Svetlana, Ronisue, Roni, Marci, Tandeka
1967 TV characters: Tonia, Clayt, Cinnamon, Buffy, Hondo, Mannix, Dulcey, Rosaisela, Judd
1967 Actors: Millette, Sivi, Cami, Vitina
1967 Literary character: Kerith
1967 Comics: Geisha
1967 Songs: Alfie, Georgy, Sharmon, Windy
1967 Singers: Aretha, Nico
1967 Sports: Cazzie
1967 Product: Camaro
1967 Celebrity baby: Joely, Erinn, Chalene
1967 Celebrity related: Tahnee, Devara, Talitha
1967 Model: Twiggy
1966
1966 Politics: Indira
1966 Movie characters: Raef, Lara, Yuri
1966 TV characters: Gidget, Audra, Heath, Tabitha, Tabatha, Tamantha, Alfy, Tavio, Anissa, Artemus, Kimble
1966 TV shows: Peyton, Daktari
1966 TV contestant: Sheva
1966 Actor: Marlo
1966 Comics: Yesenia
1966 Songs: Michelle, Cherish, Caramia
1966 Singer: Lainie
1966 Product: Caprice
1966 Celebrity baby: Devera
1966 Celebrity related: Sonji
1966 Model: Donyale
1965
1965 News: Gemini
1965 Politics: Luci
1965 Movie characters: Liesl, Sugar, Shelleen, Santee, Marnie
1965 TV characters: Samantha, Darrin, Endora, Morticia, Wednesday, Tatia, Illya, Petina, Bettyjo, Cara, Shenandoah, Jarrod, Allison, Rodney, Karen
1965 TV show: Addam
1965 Actors: Daliah, Virna, Lisi, Ursula, Mia, Ryan
1965 Literary characters: Kerensa, Mellyora
1965 Singers: Petula, Fontella, Fanita
1965 Sports: Marichal, Diron
1965 Celebrity baby: Xan
1965 Beauty queens: Apasra, Vonda
1965 Model: Kecia
1964
1964 News: Hope
1964 Politics: Lyndon, Kennedy, Jacqueline, Fitzgerald, Caroline
1964 Movie characters: Taggart, Hud, Dhana, Guendalina, Thomasina
1964 TV characters: Destry, Quint, Trampas, Thedy, Bobbiejo, Djuna, Tessa, Zina
1964 TV contestant: Celynn
1964 TV commercial: Deneen
1964 Actors: Janssen, Pleshette, Kamala, Inger, Senta, Diahn, Cherylene, Julissa
1964 Songs: Dawn, Charade, Abilene
1964 Singer: Bavan
1964 Musical group: Ronette, Vandella
1964 Musician: Ringo
1964 Sports: Nicklaus, Cassius, Deron
1963
1963 News: Medgar, Martin, Gordon, Camala, Janita, Valentina, Troylene
1963 Politics: Bouvier
1963 Movie characters: Lolita, Cybele, Heavenly, Phaedra, Tamiko
1963 TV characters: Pebbles, Grindl, Brycie, Tal, Sutton, Stoney, Joby, Glynis, Jerrod, Trisha, Sindee, Kris
1963 TV contestant: Candi
1963 TV personality: Keefe
1963 Actors: Keir, Tippi, Anjanette, Stanja
1963 Song: Paula, Nova
1963 Singer: Ral
1963 Musical group: Chiffon
1963 Sports: Cepeda, Maury
1963 Products: Tressy, Wondra, Chevelle
1963 Brand: Tangerine
1963 Celebrity related: Kristin
1962
1962 Movie characters: Weena, Lyrae, Antigone, Chimene, Elcid, Jessica, Chance
1962 Movie: Tiffany
1962 TV characters: Toika, Daphne, Daffy, Perette, Price, Cricket
1962 TV contestant: Dorinda
1962 Actors: Lynley, Clu, Anja, Yarnell, Tuesday
1962 African-American magazines: Annazette
1962 Comics: Tashia
1962 Song: Novalee
1962 Singers: Chubby, Makeba, Billiejean, Timi
1962 Musical group: Pearlette
1962 Celebrity baby: Dodd
1962 Celebrity related: Movita, Kippie
1962 Beauty queens: Clintona, Penne, Gordean
1962 Model: Sheralee
1961
1961 News: Yuri, Charlayne, Maribel, Gamble, Patrice
1961 Politics: Jacqueline, Caroline
1961 Movie characters: Ari, Akiva, Varinia, Parrish, Merritt, Ilya
1961 TV characters: Velvet, Edwina, Wina, Ward, Jimbo, Zelda, Kiz, Caprice, Tawney, Brook, Tanoa, Chuckie, Cord, Amby, Jana, Tod
1961 TV personality: Shari
1961 Actors: Tarita, Gig, Capucine, Kipp, Zimbalist, Marisol, Lorne, Pernell
1961 African-American magazines: Jacy
1961 Songs: Corinna, Marylou
1961 Singers: Damita, Joselito
1961 Musical group: Shirelle
1961 Sports: Rafer, Maris
1961 Celebrity baby: Timolin
1961 Celebrity related: Aissa, Jefre
1960
1960 News: Farah, Leisha, Aleida, Kwame
1960 Movie characters: Raymie, Haya, Ryder, Jordana, Pollyanna
1960 TV characters: Dobie, Thalia, Cully, Clay, Lisha, Andamo, Chantay, Bronco, Modesty, Tiare, Tiki
1960 TV contestants: Sherrylyn, Lavelda, Sita
1960 TV show: Bonanza
1960 Actors: Hayley, Ziva, Elana, Marpessa, Nedenia, Troy, Ansara, Jovon, Flip, Darren
1960 African-American magazines: Lajeune, Claudinette
1960 Comics: Kippy
1960 Songs: Misty, Laura
1960 Singers: Devy, Rydell, Brendalee, Darin
1960 Musicians: Wynton, Thelonious
More Names
Other historically significant baby names bestowed in the U.S. during the 1960s include Orbit.