They came, they went, and they never came back!
These baby names are one-hit wonders in the U.S. baby name data. That is, they’ve only popped up once, ever, in the entire dataset of U.S. baby names (which accounts for all names given to at least 5 U.S. babies per year since 1880).
There are thousands of one-hit wonders in the dataset, but the names below have interesting stories behind their single appearance, so these are the one-hits I’m writing specific posts about. Just click on a name to read more.
2020s
- 2020: Jexi
2010s
- 2018: Gentree
- 2017: Brenlei, Kessel, Petehn, Tolkien
- 2016: Alduin
- 2015: Ayanami, Maleficent, Rousey, Tamriel
- 2014: Menachemmendel
- 2013: Cattalaya, Citori
- 2012: Mesut, Ryujin, Ryuki, Tatsuki, Thienlong
- 2011: Adrialys, Ilitia
- 2010: Benhur, Goodluck
2000s
- 2009: Tashard, Wanderlei
- 2008: Karmindy
- 2007: Crissangel, Edgerin, Euphoria, Jazalle, Tessalee, Yankee
- 2006: Narnia, Peregrina, Qorianka, Sensi
- 2005: Anhuar, Condoleezza, Gemelli, Ginobili, Joemy, Krisily, Neyzer
- 2004: Dekanye, Heder, Jakanye, Tarralyn, Tsitsiki
- 2003: Nasiriyah
- 2002: Ashauntee, Eshanti, Jyhiem, Jaiheem, Jaheen
- 2001: Vyshonn
- 2000: Alancia, Iuma, Millenium, Millinia, Rikishi, Sisqo, Tatsu
1990s
- 1999: Peerless, Quartey, Ukari
- 1998: Dameyune, Envyi, Jaromir, Nazr, Phajja, Picabo, Tiriq, Tsianina
- 1997: Dodi, Jerykah, Terykah
- 1996: Jumanji, Oesha, Ohagi, Shyhem
- 1995: Bailye, Brescia, Corvina, Mufasa
- 1994: Blancaestela, Keemo, Zhanea, Ziyadah
- 1993: Ilish, Silk, Thurgood, Tribeca
- 1992: Adeva, Agassi, Dusharme, Ilirida, Iniki, Macauly, Tikeyah
- 1991: Dhahran, Eritrea, Quashan, Quaysean, Vaitiare
- 1990: Glenne, Latiffa, Trinere, Tyski
1980s
- 1989: Alejandr, Anastasi, Angeliqu, Annamari, Annemari, Antoinet, Bernadet, Cassandr, Cassondr, Christop, Constanc, Demetriu, Dominiqu, Francisc, Geneviev, Jacqueli, Jacquely, Johnatho, Kassandr, Kristofe, Priscill, Sebastia, Aresenio, Arsenial, Arseno, Marsenio, Dokken, Ikea
- 1988: Cassarah, Lung, Nattiel, Stedmen
- 1987: Condola, Enchantee, Jnay, Matlock
- 1986: Applonia, Calizza, Chardey, Cindal, Codero, Marlesa, Tchanavian, Tereva
- 1985: Camacho, Chada, Mattlock, Meyosha, Sadea, Teenamarie
- 1984: Ecaterina, Etoshia, Mergeron, Quisto, Thawann, Tranel
- 1983: Cozell, Jeopardy, Klisha, Tyecha
- 1982: Chachi, Chazaray, Chezarae, Rosezanna, Shashi, Senchal, Tocarro
- 1981: Crystalgayle, Fame, Nahema, Sadane, Shirret, Tijwana, Zimbabwe
- 1980: Estrada, Kimario, Lencola, Nykeba, Zhivago
1970s
- 1979: Ayatollah, Dilanjan, Kayatana, Santini, Spanky, Starbuck, Tekulve
- 1978: Astreia, Boz, Enchantra, Kushana, Namath, Travolta
- 1977: Akwete, Bnai, Civona, Debraca, Ibe, Idi, Jitu, Kairaba, Kefentse, Kizi, Kontar, Kuntakinte, Lavare, Loleatta, Makalani, Qiuana, Reannan, Shonski, Sommers, Stardust, Tristica, Wilona
- 1976: Comaneci, Suehay, Tavores, Vulnavia
- 1975: Chaffee, Durville, Foxy, Tchalla, Tyneal
- 1974: Condredge, Pashun, Sirica, Sundown
- 1973: Cavett, Cedeno, Cymande, Hec, Trevira
- 1972: Bayete, Germayne, Kattina, Katyna, Kipchoge, Kontina
- 1971: Corelle, Corrice, Kwabene, Lawanika, Shangaleza, Shelbra, Unseld
- 1970: Embra, Gandalf, Quetzy, Shalako
1960s
- 1969: Biafra, Francellia, Troas, Tron
- 1968: Ondina, Stassa
- 1967: Devara, Malette, Milette, Melette, Mellette, Molette, Ronisue, Tandeka, Twiggy
- 1966: Agena, Bedar, Daktari, Trumell
- 1965: Apasra, Fontilla, Marichal, Mellyora
- 1964: Bavan, Dejuna, Djana, Duuana, Duuna, Deeneen, Dennen, Deaneen, Guendalina, Shevell, Thedy
- 1963: Bouvier, Brycie, Stanja
- 1962: Artra, Chubbie, Clu, Elcid, Gordean, Perette
- 1961: Gwendalina, Jefre
- 1960: Andamo, Ansara, Bonanza, Claudinette, Devy, Flip, LaVelda, Marpessa, Nedenia, Perriann
1950s
- 1959: Elfago, Kitza, Kookie
- 1958: Daintry, Monsita, Sayonara, Tootie
- 1957: Bryndis, Cindye, Gogi, Marsheela, Theonita
- 1956: Decca, Deltina, Jimalee
- 1955: Tammis, Twig
- 1954:
Bimbo, Bobbyetta, Topper - 1953: Jerilou, Judalon, Lastarza
- 1952: Eisenhower, Gevan
- 1951: Desnee, Glenalee, Jilla
- 1950: Frosty, Learta
1940s
- 1949: Judaline
- 1948: Gwyned
- 1947: Junellen, Miralee
- 1946: Darlia, Drene
- 1945: Chyleen
- 1944: Dieatra, Dirinda
- 1943: Angharad
- 1942: Macarther, Donivee, Royalene, Wainwright, Wavell
- 1941: Nawatha, Saford, Spessard
- 1940: Janalene, Willkie
1930s
- 1939: Torchy
- 1938: Valdine
- 1937: Swanee, Noreda, Norrita, Noreeta, Noreita, Noritta, Norietta, Norreta, Norretta
- 1936: Clarabeth, Thayle, Verilea
- 1935: Rheeta
- 1934: Rheata, Veree
- 1933: Ardoth, Patsyann, Perilla
- 1932: Ilomae
- 1931: Dixianna, Vergean
1920s
- 1928: Geraine, Yuvawn
- 1927: Iyone, Jahala, Mateel, Seroba, Tunny
- 1926: Narice
- 1925: Valoyce
- 1924: Chadyeane, Derelys, Juneve, Laline, Myraline
- 1922: Donaldine
- 1921: Essfa, Garnelle
- 1920: Dardenella
1910s
- 1919: Castoria, Itasca, Nellora
- 1918: Allenby, Hobby
- 1917: Laurece, Tessibel, Westmoreland
- 1916: Ormi, Ortrude, Tatsuro, Trudis, Ysobel
- 1915: Gorizia
- 1914: Carranza
- 1913: Colquitt
- 1910: Leneve
1900s
- (none yet)
1890s
- 1898: Maine, Mayne, Philippina, Schley
As I discover (and write about) more one-hit wonders in the data, I’ll add the names/links to this page. In the meanwhile, do you have any favorite one-hit wonder baby names?
Image: Adapted from Solitary Poppy by Andy Beecroft under CC BY-SA 2.0.
[Latest update: Apr. 2024]