How popular is the baby name Ena in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Find out using the graph below! Plus, check out all the blog posts that mention the name Ena.

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Popularity of the Baby Name Ena


Posts that Mention the Name Ena

Rare Girl Names from Early Cinema: E

Looking for an uncommon girl name with a retro feel?

Here’s a list of rare female E-names associated with the earliest decades of cinema (1910s to 1940s).

For the names that have seen enough usage to appear in the SSA data, I’ve included links to popularity graphs.

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Eadie
Eadie was a character name in multiple films, including The Girl from Missouri (1934) and The Hit Parade (1937).

  • Usage of the baby name Eadie.

Editha
Editha was a character name in multiple films, including The Children Pay (1916) and The Burglar (1917).

  • Usage of the baby name Editha.

Edwina
Edwina was a character name in multiple films, including The Flight of the Crow (short, 1913) and National Velvet (1944).

  • Usage of the baby name Edwina.

Edythe
Edythe Chapman was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1930s. She was born in New York in 1863. Edythe Sterling was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1920s. She was born in Missouri in 1886. Edythe was also a character name in multiple films, including Told in Colorado (1911) and The Repentant (1916).

  • Usage of the baby name Edythe.

Effie
Effie Shannon was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1930s. She was born in Massachusetts in 1867. Effie was also a character name in multiple films, including The Big Diamond Robbery (1929) and The Maltese Falcon (1931).

  • Usage of the baby name Effie.

Efra
Efra Cavendar was a character played by actress Dorothy Sebastian in the film The Unholy Night (1929).

Eily
Eily Malyon was an actress who appeared in films from the 1930s to the 1940s. She was born in England in 1879. Eily was also a character played by actress Gene Gauntier in the film The Colleen Bawn (1911).

  • Usage of the baby name Eily.

Elba
Elba Allen was a character played by actress Beverly Bayne in the short film Every Inch a King (1914).

  • Usage of the baby name Elba.

Eleanour
Eleanour was a character played by actress Alice Joyce in the film The Ace of Cads (1926).

Electra
Electra was a character played by actress Norma Phillips in the short film The Glow Worm (1913).

Elektra
Elektra was a character played by actress Mary Fuller in the short film Elektra (1910).

Elfie
Elfie was a character name in multiple films, including Regeneration (short, 1911) and The Easiest Way (1931).

  • Usage of the baby name Elfie.

Elga
Elga was a character played by actress Camilla Horn in the film The Return of Raffles (1933).

  • Usage of the baby name Elga.

Ellabella
Ellabella Jackson was a character played by actress Almira Sessions in the film Dixie Jamboree (1944).

Ellaline
Ellaline Terriss was an actress who appeared in films from the 1900s to the 1930s. She was born in the Falkland Islands in 1872. Her birth name was Mary Ellaline Terriss.

Ellean
Ellean Tanqueray was a character played by actress Marie Hemingway in the film The Second Mrs. Tanqueray (1916).

  • Usage of the baby name Ellean.

Ellinor
Ellinor was a character played by actress Valda Valkyrien in the film The Unwelcome Mother (1916).

Elmerada
Elmerada de Leon was a character played by actress Zasu Pitts in the film Professional Sweetheart (1933).

Elna
Elna Johnson was a character played by actress Wendy Barrie in the film The Saint in Palm Springs (1941).

  • Usage of the baby name Elna.

Elnora
Elnora Comstock was a character played by various actresses (such as Gloria Grey and Dorinda Clifton) in various movies called A Girl of the Limberlost, all based on the novel of the same name by Gene Stratton-Porter.

  • Usage of the baby name Elnora.

Elois
Elois Murree was a character played by actress Julia Swayne Gordon in the film The Painted World (1914).

  • Usage of the baby name Elois.

Elspeth
Elspeth Dudgeon was an actress who appeared in films from the 1930s to the 1950s. She was born in England in 1871. Elspeth was also a character name in multiple films, including Sentimental Tommy (1921) and The Storm Breaker (1925).

Elvia
Elvia Allman was an actress who appeared in films from the 1930s to the 1960s. She was born in North Carolina in 1904.

  • Usage of the baby name Elvia.

Elvina
Elvina Grey was a character played by actress Marguerite Snow in the film The Veiled Woman (1922).

  • Usage of the baby name Elvina.

Elvira
Elvira was a character name in multiple films, including The Cuban Love Song (1931) and Moonlight in Vermont (1943).

  • Usage of the baby name Elvira.

Elvire
Elvire was a character played by actress Olga Demidoff in the short film The Death of Don Juan (1911).

Elviry
Elviry was a character played by June Weaver in various films of the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Elyane
Elyane Parizot was a character played by actress Maria Corda in the film Madame Wants No Children (1926).

  • Usage of the baby name Elyane.

Elyata
Elyata was a character played by actress Juanita Hansen in the film The Lost City (1920).

Elzbieta
Elzbieta was a character played by actress Julia Hurley in the film The Jungle (1914).

Emanuella
Emanuella was a character played by actress Mary Philbin in the film Drums of Love (1928).

Emica
Emica was a character played by actress Yvette Dugay in the film Heavenly Days (1944).

Emillia
Emillia was a character played by actress Carmel Myers in the film No Living Witness (1932).

Ena
Ena Gregory was an actress who appeared in films from the 1920s to the 1930s. She was born in Australia in 1906. Ena was also a character played by actress Gloria Payton in the film The Faith of the Strong (1919).

  • Usage of the baby name Ena.

Encarnacion
Encarnacion was a character played by actress Lynn Bari in the film Blood and Sand (1941).

Enia
Enia was a character played by actress Edith Storey in the short film Warfare in the Skies (1914).

  • Usage of the baby name Enia.

Enid
Enid Stamp-Taylor was an actress who appeared in films from the 1920s to the 1940s. She was born in England in 1904. Enid was also a character name in multiple films, including The Chalice of Courage (1915) and Whatever She Wants (1921).

  • Usage of the baby name Enid.

Enna
Enna was a character played by actress Florence La Badie in the film Their Golden Wedding (1914).

  • Usage of the baby name Enna.

Enola
Enola Lane was a character played by actress Clara Williams in the short film The Surgeon (1912).

  • Usage of the baby name Enola.

Enrichetta
Enrichetta was a character played by actress Alida Valli in the film Two Orphans (1942).

Eponine
Eponine was a character played by actress Frances Drake in the film Les Miserabes (1935).

Erek
Princess Erek was a character played by actress Vera Lewis in the film The Only Thing (1925).

Erie
Erie McCadden was a character played by actress Sally O’Neil in the film The Girl on the Barge (1929).

  • Usage of the baby name Erie.

Erina
Erina Rodina was a character played by actress Rose Dione in the film The World and Its Women (1919).

  • Usage of the baby name Erina.

Erma
Erma Desmond was a character played by actress Ruth Roland in the film The Matrimonial Martyr (1916).

  • Usage of the baby name Erma.

Ermengarde
Ermengarde was a character played by actress Gertrude Short in the film The Little Princess (1917).

Ermina
Ermina was a character played by actress Gene Gauntier in the short film Captain Rivera’s Reward (1912).

  • Usage of the baby name Ermina.

Ermine
Ermine was a character played by actress Monaei Lindley in the film Her Secret (1933).

  • Usage of the baby name Ermine.

Ermintrud
Ermintrude was a character name in multiple films, including Maytime (1923) and Orchids and Ermine (1927).

Erna
Erna was a character played by actress Bunty Payne in the film A Voice in the Night (1941).

  • Usage of the baby name Erna.

Ernestine
Ernestine Gaines was an actress who appeared in films in the 1920s. Ernestine was also a character name in multiple films, including The Side Show of Life (1924) and Anne of Windy Poplars (1940).

Erni
Erni Gottlinger was a character played by actress Marlene Dietrich in the film Cafe Electric (1927).

Erolinda
Erolinda Vargas was a character played by actress Carmel Myers in the film The Kiss (1921).

Essene
Essene was a character played by actress Nan Christy in the short film A Modern Sphinx (1916).

Essie
Essie was a character name in multiple films, including Welcome Stranger (1924) and Ah, Wilderness! (1935).

  • Usage of the baby name Essie.

Estelita
Estelita Rodriguez was an actress who appeared in films from the 1940s to the 1960s. She was born in Cuba in 1928.

Esthey
Esthey Roberts was a character played by actress Zasu Pitts in the film Two Alone (1934).

Estrell
Estrell Wynn was a character played by actress Marguerite De La Motte in the film The Nut (1921).

Estrellita
Estrellita Estrada was a character played by actress Elena Verdugo in the film The Big Sombrero (1949).

Ethel

  • Ethel Wales was an actress who appeared in films from the 1920s to the 1950s. She was born in New Jersey in 1878.
  • Ethel Griffies was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1960s. She was born in England in 1878.
  • Ethel Barrymore was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1950s. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1879.
  • Ethel Clayton was an actress who appeared in films from the 1900s to the 1940s. She was born in Illinois in 1882.
  • Ethel Grandin was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1920s. She was born in New York in 1894.
  • Ethel Shannon was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1930s. She was born in Colorado in 1898.
  • Ethel Merman was an actress who appeared in films from the 1930s to the 1980s. She was born in New York in 1908.

Ethel was also a character played by actress Evelyn Brent in the film Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman (1917).

  • Usage of the baby name Ethel.

Etheline
Etheline was a character played by actress Diane Bori in the film Big Town (1932).

Ethelreda
Ethelreda was a character played by actress Elisabeth Risdon in the film Slightly Tempted (1940).

Ethelyn
Ethelyn was a character played by actress Josephine Dunn in the film The Sin Sister (1929).

Ethlyne
Ethlyne Clair was an actress who appeared in films from the 1920s to the 1930s. She was born in Alabama in 1904.

Ethne
Ethne was a character name in multiple films, including The Four Feathers (1929) and The Four Feathers (1939).

  • Usage of the baby name Ethne.

Ethona
Ethona was a character played by actress Florence Turner in the film Indian Romeo and Juliet (1912).

Ethyl
Ethyl Norcrosse was a character played by actress Leila Hyams in the film Spite Marriage (1929).

  • Usage of the baby name Ethyl.

Etiennette
Etiennette was a character played by actress Dany Robin in the film Gates of the Night (1946).

Ettie
Ettie was a character name in multiple films, including Werewolf of London (1935) and Heavenly Days (1944).

  • Usage of the baby name Ettie.

Eudora
Eudora Mawdle was a character played by actress Ethel Wales in the film Our Leading Citizen (1922).

  • Usage of the baby name Eudora.

Eugenia
Eugenia Blondeau was a character played by actress Beverly Bayne in the film Pennington’s Choice (1915).

Eugenie
Eugenie Besserer was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1930s. She was born in New York in 1868. Eugenie Forde was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1920s. She was born in New York in 1879. Eugenie was also a character name in multiple films, including The Black Pearl (1928) and Piccadilly Jim (1936).

Eula
Eula Guy was an actress who appeared in films from 1930s to 1950s. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1894.

  • Usage of the baby name Eula.

Eulalia
Eulalia was a character played by actress Carmelita Geraghty in the film The Small Bachelor (1927).

Eulalie
Eulalie Jensen was an actress who appeared in films from the 1910s to the 1930s. She was born in Missouri in 1884. Eulalie was also character played by actress Eileen Percy in the film The Pleasant Devil (1919).

Eulilah
Eulilah was a character played by actress Kathleen Burke in the film The Lion Man (1936).

Euphemia
Euphemia Jones was a character played by actress Flora Finch in the short film Mr. Bunny in Disguise (1914).

Europena
Europena was a character name in multiple films, including Lovey Mary (1926) and Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch (1934).

Eurydice
Eurydice was a character played by actress Mildred Harris in the film A Love Sublime (1917).

Evadne
Evadne was a character played by actress Katherine Lee in the film The Side Show of Life (1924).

  • Usage of the baby name Evadne.

Eveline
Eveline Danvers was a character played by actress Ella Hall in the short film The Mistress of Deadwood Basin (1914).

Evelynda
Evelynda was a character played by actress Margaret Livingston in the film The Last Warning (1929).

Everild
Everild was a character played by actress Ruth Stonehouse in the short film Above the Abyss (1915).

Evvie
Evvie was a character played by actress Blanche Friderici in the film Stolen Love (1928).

  • Usage of the baby name Evvie.

Exquisitia
Exquisitia was a character played by actress Ethel Teare in the short film Adam’s Ancestors (1915).

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Which of the above E-names do you like best?

Source: IMDb

What gave the baby name Ena a boost in 1906?

Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg; Princess Ena
Princess Ena
(Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg)

The baby name Ena saw its highest-ever usage in the U.S. in 1906. It was the fastest-rising baby name of the year that year, in fact.

  • 1908: 27 baby girls named Ena
  • 1907: 52 baby girls named Ena
  • 1906: 89 baby girls named Ena [peak usage]
  • 1905: 16 baby girls named Ena
  • 1904: 8 baby girls named Ena

What drew so much attention to the name Ena in 1906?

Princess Ena of England, who married King Alfonso of Spain on the last day of May, 1906.

The wedding got a lot more media attention than it otherwise would have because, after the wedding ceremony, a Spanish anarchist tried to assassinate the couple. (He threw a bomb concealed in a bouquet of flowers at the royal procession.) Ena and Alfonso were uninjured, but over a dozen were killed and many more were wounded.

Though she was called “Princess Ena” in the newspapers and simply “Ena” by family members, her name at birth was actually Victoria Eugenie Julia Ena. Not only that, but the name “Ena” itself may have been unintentional:

[T]here are differing accounts of that name’s origin, with some stating that it was chosen by her grandmother as ‘a Gaelic Highland name’ to mark the first royal birth in Scotland since the seventeenth century, and other accounts putting the name down to a misreading of her mother’s writing of the name ‘Eva’. Queen Victoria’s journal entry for the occasion of her christening lists the names as ‘Victora, Eugénie, Julia, Eva’.

What are your thoughts on the baby name Ena? Would you choose it over Eva?

Sources: Victoria Eugenie – Wikipedia, Christening of Princess Victoria Eugenie – Royal Collection Trust

Numerology & Baby Names: Number 2

baby names that add up to 2, numerologically

Here are hundreds of baby names that have a numerological value of “2.”

I’ve sub-categorized them by overall totals, because I think that some of the intermediate numbers could have special significance to people as well.

Within each group, I’ve listed up to ten of the most popular “2” names per gender (according to the current U.S. rankings).

Beneath all the names are some ways you could interpret the numerological value of “2,” including descriptions from two different numerological systems.

2 via 11

The following baby names add up to 11, which reduces to two (1+1=2).

  • “11” girl names: Adea, Fe
  • “11” boy names: Aj

2 via 20

The following baby names add up to 20, which reduces to two (2+0=2).

  • “20” girl names: Jade, Dana, Jia, Deja, Ara, Nada, Amada, Hiba, Ena, Jai
  • “20” boy names: Abel, Gage, Adan, Kace, Ean, Jai, Chace, Fahad, Jade, Able

2 via 29

The following baby names add up to 29, which reduces to two (2+9=11; 1+1=2).

  • “29” girl names: Aria, Diana, Alana, Nadia, Ann, Asha, Dania, Sia, Adina, Kacie
  • “29” boy names: Beau, Aidan, Dax, Khai, Isa, Kael, Alek, Lake, Sai, Abiel

2 via 38

The following baby names add up to 38, which reduces to two (3+8=11; 1+1=2).

  • “38” girl names: Sadie, Alaina, Paige, Amina, Nina, Aisha, Hanna, Cecelia, Jamie, Chaya
  • “38” boy names: Noah, Max, Bodhi, Jared, Jaime, Jamie, Jair, Amare, Isai, Deon

2 via 47

The following baby names add up to 47, which reduces to two (4+7=11; 1+1=2).

  • “47” girl names: Sarah, Rachel, Kamila, Hallie, Leona, Adley, Reina, Galilea, Myah, Leanna
  • “47” boy names: John, Isaiah, Adrian, Malachi, Legend, Omar, Cody, Shane, Damon, Callen

2 via 56

The following baby names add up to 56, which reduces to two (5+6=11; 1+1=2).

  • “56” girl names: Ivy, Norah, Charlie, Aliyah, Selena, Dylan, April, Elianna, Maisie, Emmy
  • “56” boy names: Lucas, Dylan, Nolan, Oscar, Charlie, Felix, Mario, Armani, Omari, Pierce

2 via 65

The following baby names add up to 65, which reduces to two (6+5=11; 1+1=2).

  • “65” girl names: Rylee, Isabelle, Eloise, Alondra, Carter, Kelly, Palmer, Bridget, Vienna, Chandler
  • “65” boy names: Carter, Andrew, Javier, Prince, Conor, Collin, Shawn, Uriel, Chandler, Dennis

2 via 74

The following baby names add up to 74, which reduces to two (7+4=11; 1+1=2).

  • “74” girl names: Aurora, Audrey, Madelyn, Melody, London, Marley, Daleyza, Zuri, Lucille, Margot
  • “74” boy names: Joshua, Easton, Jesus, Myles, Matteo, Messiah, Desmond, Muhammad, Ryland, Tony

2 via 83

The following baby names add up to 83, which reduces to two (8+3=11; 1+1=2).

  • “83” girl names: Evelyn, Violet, Margaret, Catherine, Emmalyn, Addilynn, Giovanna, Valery, Yuliana, Memphis
  • “83” boy names: Jonathan, Jaxson, Bentley, Memphis, Alonzo, Shepherd, Branson, Thatcher, Brysen, Judson

2 via 92

The following baby names add up to 92, which reduces to two (9+2=11; 1+1=2).

  • “92” girl names: Sydney, Kaitlyn, Mckinley, Oaklynn, Madilynn, Marilyn, Estrella, Sylvie, Heavenly, Rilynn
  • “92” boy names: Julius, Porter, Santino, Yusuf, Wilson, Salvador, Watson, Tyrell, Zakariya, Ozzy

2 via 101

The following baby names add up to 101, which reduces to two (1+0+1=2).

  • “101” girl names: Josephine, Christina, Jaylynn, Kristina, Brynley, Murphy, Sherlyn, Kiersten, Christian, Kylynn
  • “101” boy names: Christian, Tristan, Forrest, Kristian, Brentley, Murphy, Garrison, Jovanny, Marquez, Tyrion

2 via 110

The following baby names add up to 110, which reduces to two (1+1+0=2).

  • “110” girl names: Loyalty, Stormy, Sullivan, Sparrow, Amaryllis, Rozlyn, Kynsleigh, Paislynn, Brylynn, Justus
  • “110” boy names: Alexzander, Justus, Youssef, Tyshawn, Octavius, Joseluis, Loyalty, Torryn, Arlington, Suleyman

2 via 119

The following baby names add up to 119, which reduces to two (1+1+9=11; 1+1=2).

  • “119” girl names: Gwendolyn, Josselyn, Serinity, Carrington, Jessalynn, Pressley, Suttyn, Samyuktha, Pryncess, Sirenity
  • “119” boy names: Kingstyn, Treyvon, Aristotle, Tyberius, Carrington, Marcellous, Thorsten, Theodoros, Romulus, Grayston

2 via 128

The following baby names add up to 128, which reduces to two (1+2+8=11; 1+1=2).

  • “128” girl names: Kensington, Jazzlynn, Scottlyn, Yuritzi, Remmington, Oluwanifemi, Courtlyn, Josslynn, Mattilynn, Averyrose
  • “128” boy names: Remmington, Huckleberry, Vittorio, Kensington, Treyvion, Florentino, Quintrell, Patterson, Pratyush, Oluwanifemi

2 via 137

The following baby names add up to 137, which reduces to two (1+3+7=11; 1+1=2).

  • “137” girl names: Riverlynn, Savannahrose, Taylormarie
  • “137” boy names: Konstantin, Joseantonio, Kentavious, Toluwanimi

2 via 146

The following baby names add up to 146, which reduces to two (1+4+6=11; 1+1=2).

  • “146” girl names: Oluwadarasimi, Winterrose, Scarlettrose
  • “146” boy names: Oluwadarasimi, Jontavious

2 via 155

The following baby names add up to 155, which reduces to two (1+5+5=11; 1+1=2).

  • “155” boy names: Krystopher, Chrystopher, Muhammadmustafa

What Does “2” Mean?

First, we’ll look at the significance assigned to “2” by two different numerological sources. Second, and more importantly, ask yourself if “2” or any of the intermediate numbers above have any special significance to you.

Numerological Attributes

“2” (the dyad) according to the Pythagoreans:

  • “The dyad is the first to have separated itself from the monad, whence also it is called ‘daring. ‘ For when the monad manifests unification, the dyad steals in and manifests separation.”
  • “Among the virtues, they liken it to courage: for it has already advanced into action. Hence too they used to call it ‘daring’ and ‘impulse.'”
  • “They also gave it the title of ‘opinion,’ because truth and falsity lie in opinion. And they called it ‘movement,’ ‘generation,’ ‘change,’ ‘division,’ ‘length,’ ‘multiplication,’ ‘addition,’ ‘kinship,’ ‘relativity,’ ‘the ratio in proportionality.’ For the relation of two numbers is of every conceivable form.”
  • “Apart from recklessness itself, they think that, because it is the very first to have endured separation, it deserves to be called ‘anguish,’ ‘endurance’ and ‘hardship.'”
  • “From division into two, they call it ‘justice’ (as it were ‘dichotomy’)”
  • “And they call it ‘Nature,’ since it is movement towards being and, as it were, a sort of coming-to-be and extension from a seed principle”
  • “Equality lies in this number alone…the product of its multiplication will be equal to the sum of its addition: for 2+2=2×2. Hence they used to call it ‘equal.'”
  • “It also turns out to be ‘infinity,’ since it is difference, and difference starts from its being set against 1 and extends to infinity.”
  • “The dyad, they say, is also called ‘Erato’; for having attracted through love the advance of the monad as form, it generates the rest of the results, starting with the triad and tetrad.”

“2” according to Edgar Cayce:

  • “Two – divided” (reading 261-14).
  • “Two – the combination, and begins a division of the whole, or the one. While two makes for strength, it also makes for weakness” (reading 5751-1).
Personal/Cultural Significance

Does “2” — or do any of the other numbers above (e.g., 38, 47, 83, 101) — have any special significance to you?

Think about your own preferences and personal experiences: lucky numbers, birth dates, music, sports, and so on. Maybe you like how “101” reminds you of education and learning new things, for example.

Also think about associations you may have picked up from your culture, your religion, or society in general.

If you have any interesting insights about the number 2, or any of the other numbers above, please leave a comment!

Source: Theologumena Arithmeticae, attributed to Iamblichus (c.250-c.330).

The Top Baby Name Rises, 1881 to Today

Many years ago, I published a list of the top debut baby names. A few years after that, I posted a list of the top one-hit wonder baby names.

So today let’s check out another fun set of “top” names: the top rises. The names below are those that increased the most in usage, percentage-wise, from one year to the next according to the SSA data.

Here’s the format: girl names are on the left, boy names are on the right, and the percentages represent single-year jumps in usage. (For example, from 1880 to 1881, usage of the girl name Isa grew 240% and usage of the boy name Noble grew 333%.)

  • 1881: Isa, 240%; Noble, 333%
  • 1882: Clementine, 300%; Clarance, 300%
  • 1883: Malissa, 243%; Alf, 150%
  • 1884: Belva, 1220%; Grover, 532%
  • 1885: Phebe, 220%; Bryant, 200%
  • 1886: Felicia, 180%; Thornton, 240%
  • 1887: Ossie, 240%; Aubrey, 240%
  • 1888: Bennie, 250%; Thurman, 414%
  • 1889: Diana, 233%; Grady, 267%
  • 1890: Easter, 238%; Isaiah, 215%
  • 1891: Lutie, 200%; Colonel, 217%
  • 1892: Lollie, 271%; Pierce, 340%
  • 1893: Annabell, 240%; Lindsay, 320%
  • 1894: Versie, 320%; Alvie, 233%
  • 1895: Glenn, 283%; Alma, 220%
  • 1896: Vernice, 217%; Hobart, 744%
  • 1897: Sigrid, 200%; Roswell, 183%
  • 1898: Manila, 1386%; Dewey, 606%
  • 1899: Tula, 280%; Rogers, 220%
  • 1900: Rosia, 480%; Wilber, 417%
  • 1901: Dellie, 180%; Kermit, 183%
  • 1902: Lolita, 420%; Judge, 260%
  • 1903: Rafaela, 280%; Jordan, 250%
  • 1904: Amber, 314%; Adelbert, 260%
  • 1905: Orma, 300%; Armand, 222%
  • 1906: Ena, 456%; Sheldon, 240%
  • 1907: Lota & Tula, 240%; Quincy, 183%
  • 1908: Bernetta & Nila, 260%; Taft, 288%
  • 1909: Laverna & Nevada, 267%; Toney, 300%
  • 1910: Cleopatra, 240%; Arturo & Sammy, 283%
  • 1911: Maryellen, 280%; Vincenzo & Wyman, 320%
  • 1912: Marina, 420%; Woodrow, 1423%
  • 1913: Carroll, 263%; Rosendo, 320%
  • 1914: Lucyle, 280%; Irvine, 333%
  • 1915: Zudora, 460%; Charlton, 320%
  • 1916: Aldena, 291%; Tatsuo, 850%
  • 1917: Liberty, 617%; Masami, 338%
  • 1918: Kazuko, 320%; Quentin, 567%
  • 1919: Verbie, 300%; Belvin, 360%
  • 1920: Marcene, 386%; Harding, 718%
  • 1921: Elwanda, 1860%; Gareth, 560%
  • 1922: Carley, 320%; Colie, 340%
  • 1923: Eris, 1313%; Coolidge, 820%
  • 1924: Janeth, 517%; Phyllis, 260%
  • 1925: Murlene & Normalee, 260%; Estell & Unknown, 214%
  • 1926: Ileana, 633%; Jarrell & Lenoard, 240%
  • 1927: Charmaine, 825%; Lindbergh, 867%
  • 1928: Jeannine, 1147%; Hoover, 522%
  • 1929: Dorla, 800%; Davey, 889%
  • 1930: Arlayne, 317%; Derl, 1060%
  • 1931: Marlene, 745%; Colbert, 280%
  • 1932: Harlene, 270%; Delano, 1057%
  • 1933: Sharleen, 425%; Delano, 289%
  • 1934: Adriana, 283%; Kelvin, 360%
  • 1935: Norita, 1171%; Darwyn, 458%
  • 1936: Shelba, 2667%; Lonzie, 320%
  • 1937: Deanna, 2009%; Tyrone, 788%

The SSA data isn’t perfect, but it does get a lot better in the late 1930s, because “many people born before 1937 never applied for a Social Security card, so their names are not included in our data” (SSA). Now, back to the list…

  • 1938: Danielle, 878%; Dion, 355%
  • 1939: Brenda, 308%; Hall, 280%
  • 1940: Scarlett, 743%; Clemmie, 257%
  • 1941: Jerilyn, 1250%; Rulon, 250%
  • 1942: Michal, 1520%; Macarthur, 2740%
  • 1943: Shaaron, 456%; Suzanne, 240%
  • 1944: Dorinda, 568%; Kennedy, 280%
  • 1945: Lauren, 709%; Dorian, 220%
  • 1946: Jacalyn, 740%; Cornel, 533%
  • 1947: Jolinda, 388%; Brock, 364%
  • 1948: Sharman, 275%; Kevan, 260%
  • 1949: Lorry, 360%; Hanson, 240%
  • 1950: Vallorie, 717%; Brion, 400%
  • 1951: Krystal, 588%; Denise, 350%
  • 1952: Pandora, 1100%; Corby & Wilhelm, 240%
  • 1953: Angelique, 1157%; Shane, 392%
  • 1954: Sheree, 756%; Dain, 360%
  • 1955: Sabrina, 711%; Davy, 509%
  • 1956: Venetia, 543%; Cheyenne, 680%
  • 1957: Tammy, 1591%; Tammy, 467%
  • 1958: Keely, 1100%; Bret, 680%
  • 1959: Torri, 411%; Efrem, 963%
  • 1960: Lisha, 1096%; Stephon, 1200%
  • 1961: Marisol, 481%; Parrish, 1460%
  • 1962: Penne, 447%; Chance, 350%
  • 1963: Tamiko, 1440%; Tal, 617%
  • 1964: Deneen, 7191%; Temple, 420%
  • 1965: Fontella, 880%; Branden, 340%
  • 1966: Tabatha, 9900%; Heath, 1070%
  • 1967: Anisa, 1600%; Garrison, 320%
  • 1968: Coretta, 2485%; Dustin, 778%
  • 1969: Lalena, 640%; Jeromy, 514%
  • 1970: Shiloh, 540%; Jermaine, 3320%
  • 1971: Ashli, 1900%; Jermaine, 494%
  • 1972: Catina, 9033%; Demond, 3920%
  • 1973: Cicely, 1827%; Caine, 780%
  • 1974: Nakia, 16100%; Rashad, 1100%
  • 1975: Rasheda, 988%; Jamaal, 688%
  • 1976: Rhiannon, 1713%; Seneca, 1429%
  • 1977: Shawntae, 686%; Lavar, 5480%
  • 1978: Aja, 3407%; Dequan, 988%
  • 1979: Renada, 780%; Yoel, 525%
  • 1980: Genese, 1920%; Rayshaun, 440%
  • 1981: Krystle, 1623%; Cavin, 833%
  • 1982: Jere, 1000%; Colt, 1620%
  • 1983: Ciji, 2950%; Remington, 657%
  • 1984: Santana, 3467%; Ryne, 424%
  • 1985: Kayleigh, 2914%; Jaymes, 769%
  • 1986: Kyrie, 3180%; Orry, 789%
  • 1987: Janay, 1168%; Jareth, 400%
  • 1988: Whitley, 916%; Nico, 860%
  • 1989: Audriana, 3467%; Alexande, 4917%
  • 1990: Alannah, 1583%; Tevin, 4569%
  • 1991: Tanairi, 820%; Devante, 1356%
  • 1992: Darian, 703%; Jalen, 3980%
  • 1993: Coraima, 4320%; Savon, 2457%
  • 1994: Aaliyah, 6495%; Romario, 1940%
  • 1995: Iridian, 1845%; Tristin, 747%
  • 1996: Alanis, 1047%; Json, 880%
  • 1997: Yulisa, 2729%, Ennis, 620%
  • 1998: Jazsmin, 960%; Denilson, 900%
  • 1999: Tionne, 1100%; Sincere, 647%
  • 2000: Litzy, 1189%; Elian, 2413%
  • 2001: Nevaeh, 1111%; Jaheim, 5440%
  • 2002: Lashanti, 2060%; Omarion, 8260%
  • 2003: Azeneth, 1913%; Andon, 2200%
  • 2004: Betzaida, 1233%; Jakwon, 1260%
  • 2005: Mikalah, 1906%; Talan, 2130%
  • 2006: Bethzy; 2636%; Dereon, 1217%
  • 2007: Jaslene, 9920%; Leonidas & Renner, 700%
  • 2008: Dayami, 3464%; Barack, 940%
  • 2009: Baya, 1020%; Dhani, 520%
  • 2010: Collins, 1557%; Bentlee, 733%
  • 2011: Thaily, 1400%; Neymar, 900%
  • 2012: Cataleya, 2182%; Long, 740%
  • 2013: Daleyza, 1055%; Jaiceon, 1057%
  • 2014: Aranza, 1297%; Jameis, 720%
  • 2015: Vail, 700%; Rhydian, 667%
  • 2016: Kehlani, 571%; Kylo, 580%
  • 2017: Westlynn, 600%; Oseias, 1080%
  • 2018: Maleni, 950%; Atreus, 1888%
  • 2019: Yalitza, 1490%; Ermias, 3360%
  • 2020: Ehlani, 2100%; Omere, 460%

(Did you catch all the doubles? Tula, Delano, Tammy, Jermaine, and Davey/Davy.)

I’ve already written about some of the names above (click the links to see the posts) and I plan to write about many of the others. In the meanwhile, though, feel free to beat me to it! Leave a comment and let us know what popularized Dorla in 1929, or Lauren in 1945, or Dustin in 1968, or Kayleigh in 1985, or Talan in 2005…

Starlet Names from the Early 1900s

WAMPAS baby stars 1928

Ever heard of the WAMPAS Baby Stars?

They were young actresses on the cusp of movie stardom back in the 1920s and 1930s.

About 13 Baby Stars were selected by the Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers every year from 1922 to 1934 (minus 1930 and 1933).

Some of those young women did indeed achieve stardom. Among the Baby Stars were Clara Bow (’24), Mary Astor (’26), Joan Crawford (’26), Fay Wray (’26) and Ginger Rogers (’32).

I thought the names of the Baby Stars — the oldest of whom were born in the final years of the 1800s, the youngest of whom were born in the mid-1910s — would make an interesting set. But I wanted birth names, not stage names, so I tracked down as many birth names as I could. Here’s the result, sorted by frequency (i.e., seven women were named Dorothy).

  • 7: Dorothy
  • 6: Helen
  • 4: Elizabeth
  • 3: Frances, Ruth, Virginia
  • 2: Anita, Ann, Barbara, Betty, Clara, Doris, Dorothea, Eleanor, Evelyn, Gladys, Gwendolyn, Hazel, Jacqueline, Katherine, Laura, Louise, Lucille, Margaret, Maria, Marian, Marie, Marion, Mary, Patricia, Violet
  • 1: Adamae, Alberta, Alma, Anne, Audrey, Augusta, Blanche, Carmelita, Caryl, Constance, Derelys, Dolores, Duane, Edna, Eleanor, Ena, Enriqueta, Ethel, Ethlyne, Evalyn, Flora, Gisela, Gloria, Gretchen, Hattie, Helene, Ina, Ingeborg, Jacquiline, Jean, Joan, Jobyna, Josephine, Juanita, Julanne, Kathleen, Kathryn, Kitty, Launa, Laurette, Lena, Lenore, Lilian, Lola, Lu Ann, Lucile, Madeline, Marceline, Martha, Mildred, Myrna, Natalia, Natalie, Nellie, Neoma, Olive, Olivia, Patsy, Rita, Rochelle, Rose, Sally, Suzanne, Sidney, Toshia, Vera, Vina

And here are the leftover stage names:

  • 5: Sally
  • 4: Mary
  • 3: Joan, June
  • 2: Betty, Jean, Judith, Pauline
  • 1: Alice, Bessie, Boots, Claire, Colleen, Dolores, Dorothy, Elinor, Evelyn, Fay, Frances, Gigi, Ginger, Gladys, Gloria, Gwen, Iris, Janet, Joyce, Julie, Karen, Kathleen, Lila, Lina, Lois, Lona, Loretta, Lucille, Lupe, Marian, Molly, Mona, Natalie, Patricia, Sue

(Often stage names were the real-life middle names of these women.)

Finally, a few interesting details:

  • “Derelys” was Derelys Perdue, whose first name at birth was actually Geraldine. I’m not sure how she came up with her stage name, but, in March of 1923, her film studio (FBO) tried to re-rename her “Ann.” (They’d sponsored a name contest in a magazine called Film Fun. The winner got $50.) Derelys brought an injunction against the studio in April to prevent the name change from happening, and the story ended up in the newspapers. This extra visibility is likely what boosted the name Derelys into the U.S. baby name data for the first and only time in 1924.
  • “Jobyna” was Jobyna Ralston, who was named for actress Jobyna Howland, daughter of a man named Joby Howland. The name Jobyna debuted in the U.S. baby name data in 1927.
  • “Lina” was Lina Basquette, who I mentioned in last week’s name quote post.
  • “Sidney” was Sidney Fox, a female who was given the name Sidney long before the name (in particular, the spelling Sydney) became trendy for baby girls.

Which of all the names listed above do you like best? Why?

Sources: