The Social Security Administration’s annual baby name list only includes names given to 5 or more U.S. babies, of either one gender or the other, 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! Pretty intriguing, right?
Below are the highest-charting, gender-specific, one-hit wonder names since 1880. 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: Carmelyn, 8; 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: Jachai, 10; Asbiel & Daytwon, 9
- 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.
P.S. I’ll come back every few years and update this list with the most recent pairs of names. In the meanwhile, for more one-hit wonder content, check out this list of interesting one-hit wonder baby names…
Image: Adapted from Solitary Poppy by Andy Beecroft under CC BY-SA 2.0.
