
The seven brides in the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) are named:
- Milly
- Dorcas
- Ruth
- Martha
- Liza
- Sarah
- Alice
Which name do you like best? Why?
(Here are the names of the seven brothers.)
How popular is the baby name Milly 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 Milly.
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The seven brides in the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) are named:
Which name do you like best? Why?
(Here are the names of the seven brothers.)
Vicki Betts, a librarian at the University of Texas, put together an interesting list of female names using the 1860 census records for Smith County, Texas.
Here’s some background information, per Vicki:
Ninety per cent of the people had emigrated to the county within the preceding ten years, 95.8% born in the states of the future Confederacy, 1.8% in the border states, 1.6% in northern states, and 0.8% in foreign countries. Therefore, these name should be fairly representative of Southern female names in general, with the exception of Alamo, Texas, Texana, etc.
And now the names! Here are the names that appeared most frequently on the 1860 Smith County census:
Mary, 501 Sarah, 271 Martha, 247 Elizabeth, 218 Jane, 199 Ann, 198 Nancy, 176 Margaret, 98 Susan, 95 Frances, 94 Eliza, 74 Amanda, 65 Louisa, 61 Laura, 52 Lucinda, 50 Rebecca, 50 | Emily, 49 Catherine, 48 Caroline, 41 Julia, 39 Anna, 31 Isabella, 28 Ellen, 26 Josephine, 25 Harriet, 24 Emmer, 22 Lucy, 22 Rachel, 22 Melissa, 18 Adeline, 17 Malinda, 17 Matilda, 16 | Allice, 15 Mariah, 15 Virginia, 15 Minerva, 14 Ella, 13 Eveline, 13 Charlotte, 12 Cynthia, 10 Evaline, 10 Victoria, 10 Emeline, 9 Hannah, 9 Hellen, 9 Theodosia, 9 Angeline, 8 Eudora, 8 | Eugenia, 8 Mahala, 8 Ophelia, 8 Permelia, 8 Dorotha, 7 Fannie, 7 Missouri, 7 Olive, 7 Samantha, 7 Tabitha, 7 Ada, 6 Charity, 6 Delilah, 6 Flora, 6 Georgia, 6 Tennessee, 6 |
Names in the 2-to-5 range:
Finally, names that appeared only once:
Abbigal Abi Absaly Adah Adalade Adaline Addia Adelade Adella Ader Aimenetta Alamanzer Alamo Alcisty Alis Allethia Almanda Alphine Alsey Althie Alvarado Alvira Amarantha Amarylles Amazor Ameda Americus Amira Ansebell Appy Arabella Arainetta Aramintha Aranda Arcadia Ardalla Armedilla Armel Armelda Arminda Artele Arvezene Arvilla Atha Audella Aurire Azeline Barbary Belzora Bendett Bernessa Bethania Bethany California Callie Camella Camilla Candas Candice Cansandra Carrentha Casandre Castero | Cecily Celistia CerroGordo Christana Cicily Claranda Claricinda Conzada Darcus Deannah Debra Delila Delitha Della Delmar Derinda Deziah Dicey Dilla Dilly Disha Dlia Dola Domaris Dorothea Dovy Drucilla Dulcena Dyca Eddie Edith Editha Elander Eleanor Elisa Ellenor Elmina Elsy Elvy Elwina Elzina Elzona Emaline English Eunis Euphema Euphemia Euratasa Evy Falby Fenette Fillmore Flore Florida Fransina Georgana George Eller Georgiana Harmoner Hazeltine Heepsebeth Heland Hester | Hetty Hilery Hutoka Idella Imogenia Indiana Inez Irine Isabelle Isadora Jeannah Jerusha Jessie Joana Joicy Joly Judah Judith Juliett June Kasandre Kasana Keburah Keturah Lailah Larresa Larrissa Laurena Lavacca Lela Leora Leuella Levega Levina Lewella Lilla Lillian Lilly Lina Livana Livona Lizza Loreey Loreta Lourana Lourena Lourenia Louretta Louvena Louvina Lova Lovena Lucretice Lurana Lurena Lutitia Luvena Lydda Madella Madosa Malabry Mariella Marietta | Marinda Marion Marbre Marcella Marcena Marg Matta McReudry Medarah Melbry Melvina Mercena Milley Millison Minor Missoura Mitty Molly Morinua Mouring Mourmen Mourning Nannett Narcisa Nebraska Neome Neomia Nicy Nina Nisse Occo Octavia Oja Oliva Omino Orpha Oudelia Paralee Paralie Parilee Parolee Parthena Pauline Pemelia Pernetta Pernisia Petrona Phebe Pheby Phereby Philliss Pleasant Pope Prascovia Pricilla Prudence Recella Resalla Reozia Resiah Rhina Rosana Rosanna | Rosena Sabra Sabrina Salina Samaria Saphona Saphrona Sareta Sebrina Sefrone Seleta Selethia Selina Shaby Sharlotti Silena Sina Sirena Sobrina Sofrona Solona Sonora Sophier Stacy Surana Tabetha Taletha Talitha Telpha Teressa Texanah Texanna Theodora Theressa Tranquilla Trephemia Ululie Vanburena Vandalia Varlinda Vashti Vasti Verlinda Vertula Victora Victorier Vina Vinolia Violet Vunavista Wennyford Wilford Wilmouth Wineford Winerfred Winnaford Winnfred Zarilla Zeban Zeleame Zira Zouley |
See any names you like? Any that make you curious?
Here are some thoughts I had:
Source: Female First Names in the 1860 Smith County, Texas, Census (via the Wayback Machine)
Years ago, I came up with a list of one-handed baby names — that is, names that are typed with either the left hand or the right hand on a QWERTY keyboard.
Turns out there may be a slight advantage to right-hand names.
According to a study published recently in Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, “the QWERTY keyboard may gradually attach more positive meanings to words with more letters located on the right side of the layout (everything to the right of T, G and B).”
Why?
It has to do with fluency.
We tend to like simplicity over complexity, and the harder-to-type letter pairs are on a QWERTY keyboard’s left side — these two facts together may lead people to prefer words (and names) that are typed on the right.
Which names are typed by the right hand only? My original list:
Can you think of any others?
Source: The QWERTY Effect: How Typing May Shape the Meaning of Words (h/t Anthony Mitchell, @aem76us)
When you sign your first name, you use one hand. But when you type it, chances are you need to use both hands — even if your name is a short as Emma, Gus or Ty.
Have you ever wondered which names can be touch-typed on the standard QWERTY keyboard with one hand only? Me too, so I came up with some lists….
How funny is it that Dexter, which comes directly from the Latin word for “right,” is typed with the left hand only?
I realize that QWERTY “handedness” is not a major baby-naming factor for most people, but I do think it would be cute to pair a one-handed name with another one-handed name — maybe a surname (Teresa Garza, Phillip Hill) or a twin name (Edward & John, Grace & Lily, Zara & Milo). What do you think?
Many baby names have only managed to rank among the most popular in the U.S. a single time.
Here are all of the top 1,000’s single-appearance names so far (1880-2005), grouped by decade. If I’ve written an explanatory post about the name, I’ve added a link to the post.
(Please note that the rankings from earliest decades are based on data that isn’t very reliable. So, most of those names didn’t make the top 1,000 for any particular reason — they’re mostly just statistical anomalies.)
1880s
Girl Names, 1880-89 | Boy Names, 1880-89 |
Adina, Almyra, Chanie, Chrissie, Clemie, Cordella, Dayse, Delina, Delle, Elmire, Elzada, Estie, Fronnie, Lovisa, Lucina, Manerva, Manervia, Minervia, Neppie, Nolie, Orilla, Rillie, Sybilla, Tella, Thursa, Achsah, Ala, Alabama, Amey, Chestina, Chloie, Crissie, Daisye, Dema, Dollye, Eithel, Mila, Senora, Siddie, Sylvania, Tiney, Zilpah, Affie, Arah, Artelia, Birdella, Cathern, Cilla, Elizbeth, Fannye, Francina, Genevra, Iza, Jerusha, Loda, Lucetta, Lucindy, Luda, Mahalie, Modena, Nanna, Nelie, Olena, Sinda, Vicy, Almina, Argie, Beatrix, Cappie, Caro, Cloe, Deetta, Dorathea, Ermine, Felicie, Icey, Junia, Lovey, Marianita, Mattye, Pearla, Simona, Alzina, Annice, Georganna, Leala, Lurana, Milly, Nealy, Olivine, Oney, Savilla, Sussie, Theodocia, Violetta, Aurilla, Dosia, Emmy, Essa, Ica, Ilma, Lolla, Medora, Octa, Alwilda, Angele, Betha, Clytie, Ermina, Hilah, Louisiana, Metha, Oline, Pricilla, Alwine, Anice, Clemma, Eppie, Gustie, Octavie, Orelia Francies, Margretta, Orra, Pairlee, Pallie, Chessie, Erla, Herma, Lulah, Noemie | Agustus, Baldwin, Candido, Ceylon, Clemente, Firman, Friend, Hays, Hence, Hunt, Isam, Jabez, Obed, Rafe, Redden, Salomon, Sannie, Tilden, Ambers, Cas, Casimiro, Dixon, Elonzo, Emry, Erving, Esequiel, Manly, Marius, Marrion, Mercer, Obe, Philo, Primus, Prosper, Pryor, Roll, Wiliam, Wing, York, Alanzo, Alby, Alcee, Auguste, Caswell, Clabe, Ell, Greene, Hansford, Lone, Marsh, Pearley, Wenzel, Blanchard, Bose, Charle, Emett, Grove, Hanson, Jep, Jeptha, Linzy, Lute, Milas, Thurlow, Blain, Bowman, Bunk, Donaciano, Ebenezer, Ignatz, Odin, Oley, Osborn, Shep, Vollie, Drury, Elon, Fielding, Fleet, Fount, Lark, Lim, Nim, North, Orvis, Reason, Virge, Worley, Zenas, Acey, Algernon, Amasa, Amil, Calhoun, Colbert, Elby, Fuller, Ham, Lilburn, Lovett, Pratt, Ruffin, Bliss, Dorr, Ethelbert, Gilford, Gilman, Graves, Hillery, Shepherd, Benjman, Celestino, Hart, Hilmer, Le, Liston, Lott, Nils, Vere, Abie, Alver, Anatole, Boone, Branch, Bush, Claiborne, Edw, Fed, Governor, Hjalmar, Levin, Redmond |
1890s
Girl Names, 1890-99 | Boy Names, 1890-99 |
Ethie, Fleeta, Jessye, Jetta, Sibbie, Idabelle, Lulla, Olar, Sylva, Versa, Allena, Cannie, Cliffie, Clotilda, Elmyra, Josefita, Lurena, Elfreda, Adel, Alleen, Trilby, Zela, Zeta, Manilla, Vara, Irva | Almus, Conard, Guilford, Neely, Polk, Rance, Red, Algot, Alphons, Barnard, Burk, Berkley, Iverson, Job, Powell, Vick, Burleigh, Con, Ebert, Murdock, Nolen, Willaim, Aubra, Avon, Bolden, Link, Thorwald, Alston, Audy, Donat, Emmons, Erby, Esley, Hebert, Hezzie, Hughey, Oddie, Vinton, Zed, Alwin, Evander, Gaither, Grafton, Guthrie, Ovila, Acy, Aloys, Arthor, Boysie, Cam, Hale, Lisle, Offie, Silver, Virgel, Willy, Dabney, Adams, Arba, Collie, Ewart, Gladstone, Schley, Shafter, Baker, Bynum, Colvin, Elizah, Griffith |
1900s
Girl Names, 1900-09 | Boy Names, 1900-09 |
Luvinia, Dagny, Ethyle, Augustina, Girtha, Edris, Vernia, Beadie, Ilda, Neola, Orma, Vela, Clydie, Rosabelle, Theta, Arnetta, Clementina, Launa, Azalee, Macel | Goebel, Tallie, Ancil, Buren, Erland, Esco, Mathews, Pate, Doll, Ivor, Victoriano, Beckham, Lenon, Ozzie, Teddie, Arbie, Council, Duard, Harm, Severo, Tobie, Fredie, Graydon, Jiles, Benard, Harrold, Delmus, Delphin, Gilmer, Ogden, Oland, Samie, Esker, Levie, Robley, Othel |
1910s
Girl Names, 1910-19 | Boy Names, 1910-19 |
Arietta, Loree, Blanchie, Felice, Maebell, Orene, Cleone, Lahoma, Rosaria, Idamae, Lavelle, Michelina, Victory, Haruko | Amerigo, Gennaro, Hymen, Melbourne, Geno, Gilmore, Saverio, Arvo, Berlin, Gerhardt, Hughes, Tatsuo, Orvin, Foch, Laddie, Metro, Therman |
1920s
Girl Names, 1920-29 | Boy Names, 1920-29 |
Arlyne, Venice, Vernelle, Enriqueta, Lorrayne, Ailene, Illa, Kazuko, Felicitas, Joline, Sydell | Harden, Shoji, Fidencio |
1930s
Girl Names, 1930-39 | Boy Names, 1930-39 |
Charlsie, Belia, Thomasina, Monna, Nira, Marcelina, Darlyne, Shirleyann, Vernetta, Larae, Jonell, Noreta, Noretta, Shelvie, Helaine, Dotty, Karel | Derl, Darl, Orlin, Marland, Darwyn, Delwin, Harlon, Ronal |
1940s
Girl Names, 1940-49 | Boy Names, 1940-49 |
Phyliss, Jerrilyn, Carlyn, Rozanne, Michaele, Lyndia, Regena, Shirleen | Wendel, Wilkie, Eusebio, Lucky, Cornel |
1950s
Girl Names, 1950-59 | Boy Names, 1950-59 |
Rhona, Sharleen, Debera, Ellyn, Jacqulyn, Pandora, Doretta, Denese, Valinda, Debroah, Jeryl, Melodee, Sheilah, Sheryll, Gaylene, Kathey, Nilda, Lanita, Perri, Tambra, Tari | Danniel, Deryl, Erasmo, Mikeal, Kennard, Rahn, Ricci, Kem |
1960s
Girl Names, 1960-69 | Boy Names, 1960-69 |
Jeanmarie, Daneen, Denine, Djuana, Djuna, Caprice, Denita, Inger, Sonji, Sunday, Tatia, Wende, Melissia, Cinnamon | Dwyane, Tal, Destry, Anthoney, Jemal |
1970s
Girl Names, 1970-79 | Boy Names, 1970-79 |
Dyan, Tisa, Treena, Camisha, Keena, Brande, Tamisha, Pepper, Chaka, Shandra, Torie, Corie, Kamilah, Shawnna, Shawnte, Ariane, Kindra, Somer, Sharee | Abelardo, Diallo, Jabbar, Mauro, Toma, Kareen, Dimitrios, Hakim, Jerimy, Torry, Amin, Demetric, Kinte, Kunta, Shalon, Hasan |
1980s
Girl Names, 1980-89 | Boy Names, 1980-89 |
Renada, Tai, Evita, Joi, Latoyia, Martine, Nereida, Tashina, Cristen, Jenilee, Tenika, Dwan, Grisel, Shenna, Teela, Shira, Violeta, Britta, Cherrelle, Kyrie, Sable, Shardae, Sharde, Sharday, Shatara, Diandra, Grecia, Jalissa, Taja, Alexandr, Audriana, Audrianna, Brittnay, Christin, Elizabet, Katherin, Stephani | Horacio, Adalberto, Marchello, Hung, Huy, Trumaine, Tavaris, Cordaro, Joseluis, Brantley, Geraldo, Christop, Alexande |
1990s
Girl Names, 1990-99 | Boy Names, 1990-99 |
Alannah, Kanesha, Ieshia, Miesha, Miriah, Shaquana, Tiesha, Brianda, Shaniece, Shawnee, Coraima, Crysta, Deyanira, Jasmyne, Kalene, Kaylene, Shannen, Adilene, Clarisa, Meranda, Nohely, Iridian, Keanna, Daijah, Jaycie, Yamilex, Baylie, Julisa, Micayla, Yulisa, Yulissa, Shae, Kyara, Tatyanna | Mykel, Dijon, Keifer, Colter, Davonta, Devaughn, Khari, Shyheim, Tyrin, Damarcus, Dustyn, Rashaan, Keion, Raquan, Coleton, Jajuan, Keandre, Kenan, Christion, Jacquez, Jelani, Miguelangel, Tavian, Tyrik, Arman, Tyreese, Tyreke |
2000s (so far)
Girl Names, 2000-05 | Boy Names, 2000-05 |
Dariana, Maiya, Neha, Yamilet, Beyonce, Dafne, Keila, Mikaila, Nallely, Nayely, Taina, Kiya, Rianna, Arly, Karyme, Gwyneth, Heidy, Treasure, Anneliese, Arleth, Jolette, Mikalah, Montserrat | Dayne, Daunte, Jaheem, Jaquez, Lisandro, Luc, Osbaldo, Yousef, Ajay, Jahir, Mordechai, Andon, Jayvon, Koda, Trenten, Adin, Damari, Makhi |
P.S. Here’s a list of the names that reached the top 1,000 just twice.