How popular is the baby name Sally in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Sally.

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Popularity of the baby name Sally


Posts that mention the name Sally

Baby name prediction: Lincoln?

The character Abraham Lincoln from the movie "Lincoln" (2012)
Abraham Lincoln from “Lincoln”

The Oscars are coming up, so now is the perfect time to ask: will the movie Lincoln (2012) make the baby name Lincoln more popular?

The movie, which has been nominated for twelve Academy Awards, was directed Steven Spielberg and stars Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States.

The baby name Lincoln is already on its way up, so we should be anticipating an increase in 2012 and 2013 usage regardless. But will the movie give the name an extra boost?

Here are the most recent numbers for the baby name Lincoln:

  • 2011: 2,145 baby boys named Lincoln
  • 2010: 1,866 baby boys named Lincoln
  • 2009: 2,010 baby boys named Lincoln
  • 2008: 1,815 baby boys named Lincoln
  • 2007: 1,654 baby boys named Lincoln
  • 2006: 1,106 baby boys named Lincoln
  • 2005: 501 baby boys named Lincoln
  • 2004: 413 baby boys named Lincoln

The name, which comes directly from the surname, can be traced back to the city of Lincoln, England. The city’s name is a condensed form of Lindum Colonia, which became the name of the settlement after the Romans took it over in the first century AD. Lindum is the Latinized form of the settlement’s original Celtic name, Lindon, which is based on a Brythonic word meaning “pool.” (It refers to Brayford Pool, a lake in the center of Lincoln.) And colonia means “colony” in Latin.

So, do you think the movie will influence the name? If yes, how?

Source: Lincoln – Online Etymology Dictionary

Where did the baby name Sivi come from in 1967?

Sivi Aberg (with the Joker) in an episode of the TV series "Batman" (Nov. 1967)
Sivi Aberg in “Batman“

The rare name Sivi first appeared in the U.S. baby name data in 1967. It stuck around for several more years before disappearing again.

  • 1971: unlisted
  • 1970: 7 baby girls named Sivi
  • 1969: 5 baby girls named Sivi
  • 1968: 8 baby girls named Sivi
  • 1967: 27 baby girls named Sivi [debut]
  • 1966: unlisted

What put it there?

Curvaceous actress Sivi Aberg.

She was born Siv Märta Åberg in Sweden in 1944. After representing her home country at the 1964 Miss Universe pageant (and placing 3rd runner-up), she moved to America to give acting a try.

In early 1967, under the name Sivi Aberg, she won the title of “Hollywood Star of Tomorrow” on a pageant-like American TV special. (Previous winners of the annual contest included Raquel Welch, Sally Field, Carol Lynley and Kim Novak.)

Also during the second half of the 1960s, she appeared on various American TV shows, such as Batman, I Spy, Hogan’s Heroes, Mannix, and Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.

Sivi’s birth name, Siv, is a form of Sif — the name of the wife of Thor in Norse mythology. Sif’s name was derived from the Old Norse word sifjar, a plural noun meaning “relatives.”

What are your thoughts on the name Sivi?

P.S. Jinx, Gwili, and Donivee are three more forgotten Hollywood actresses who left their mark on the U.S. baby name charts.

Sources:

Image: Screenshot of Batman

Girl names beyond the top 1,000 of 2010

stars

Have you seen any of the most popular baby girl names beyond the top 1,000 yet? If not, here they are — down to the names that were given to 100 babies each last year. The 1,000th most popular girl name was Dania, given to 249 babies, and after Dania comes…

  • 249: Yadira [tied with Dania]
  • 248: Charlize, Estella, Jacey, Sariyah, Sky, Sloan, Tia, Yuliana
  • 247: Tanya
  • 246: Amaris, Desirae, Frida, Kaila
  • 245: Braylee, Essence, Karley, Kianna
  • 244: none
  • 243: Abrielle, Annette, Valery
  • 242: Alaya, Rory, Samiyah, Sanai
  • 241: Delia
  • 240: Blake, Chasity, Izabelle, Lillyana, Nahla, Shaila
  • 239: Cambria, Jana, Kaylah
  • 238: Dalilah, Evalyn, Renata
  • 237: Coraline, Jessa, Kaley, Kensley
  • 236: Brittney, Miya, Roxanne
  • 235: Annabell, Ashtyn, Dorothy, Giavanna, Janice
  • 234: Aya, Calista, Cierra, Julieta, Rivka, Saanvi, Samira
  • 233: Monserrat
  • 232: Aliah, Jaslyn, Makaila
  • 231: Areli, Bentley, Gracyn
  • 230: Blakely, Brissa, Iyana, Iyanna, Karis, Laurel, Leticia, Maryjane, Noor
  • 229: Bryn, Celine, Emory, Kayley, Kendyl, Leigha, Mariela, Taya
  • 228: Annalee, Jersey, Magdalena, Raylee, Sofie, Taniya
  • 227: Kamari, Kyndal, Melinda, Tamara, Unique
  • 226: Amalia, Ashanti, Kailynn, Kristin
  • 225: Brookelynn, Gretchen, Jamiyah, Karleigh, Suri
  • 224: Ashly
  • 223: Kya, Vienna, Zaniya
  • 222: Blair, Hailie, Krista, Noa, Yasmine, Zahra
  • 221: Johana, Kamiyah
  • 220: Cayla, Dallas, Joelle, Malaysia, Zainab
  • 219: Lesley
  • 218: Christiana
  • 217: Audrianna, Bayleigh, Elissa, Susana, Winter
  • 216: Lyra, Promise
  • 215: Dayanara, Emmalynn, Lucero, Selina
  • 214: Ashleigh, Keely, Nova, Nyah
  • 213: Harlee, Taniyah
  • 212: Abbygail, Keeley, Shaniyah
  • 211: Abigayle, Analise, Elliot, Jaleah, Nalani, Sally, Shyann, Temperance
  • 210: Cristal, Kori
  • 209: Adison, Aurelia, Cassie, Lianna
  • 208: Annaliese, Gillian, Landry, Milana, Rhea, Vivien
  • 207: Caleigh, Darlene, Emani, Geraldine, Gina, Luisa, Marian, Rileigh, Tiara
  • 206: Antonia, Arlene, Kamille
  • 205: Anjali, Chelsey, Colette, Izzabella, Jordin, Juniper, Kaycee, Laniya, Maribel, Marleigh
  • 204: Aviana, Katia
  • 203: Addie, Ariyah, Channing, Emmaline, Jalynn, Jazzlyn, Scarlette
  • 202: Galilea, Joslynn, Marin, Mercy, Reece
  • 201: Abrianna, Colleen, Denisse, Samiya, Treasure
  • 200: Kamora, Naima, Rebeca
  • 199: Aanya, Kaidence, Kamilah, Maycee, Romina
  • 198: Izabel, Malak, Marlie, Nyasia, Sarina, Tinsley
  • 197: Amyah, Aubrianna, Joselin, Lidia
  • 196: Carli, Harmoni, Jackeline, Kaleah, Kayli, Makiyah, Nariah, Shea, Soraya
  • 195: Ailyn, Anneliese, Ellison, Fallon, Remi
  • 194: Kamya, Tayla, Tyler
  • 193: Aditi, Elayna, Jailyn, Mireya
  • 192: Ariyana, Berkley, Kenia, Liv, Milena, Nicolette, Soleil
  • 191: Arden, Lillyanna, Maura, Vivianna
  • 190: Aubri, Avianna, Kathy, Lizette, Sonya, Yvette
  • 189: Alanah, Carson, Elly, Peighton, Shayna
  • 188: Evangelina, Laci, Maren
  • 187: Elyssa, Jamiya, Keila, Makaylah, Yara
  • 186: Emme, Graciela, Gwyneth
  • 185: Bonnie, Ellery, Elliott, Keily, Kenadie, Lucinda, Silvia
  • 184: Ananya, Astrid, Kailani, Maiya, Sunny, Wren
  • 183: Anais, Deja, Everleigh, Shreya, Tatianna
  • 182: Blanca, Elina, Sheila
  • 181: Amayah, Honesty, Lanie, Maite
  • 180: Kalia, Katy, Saylor
  • 179: Ashton, Citlali, Karmen, Mika
  • 178: Cordelia, Destini, Hunter, Lacie, Selene, Stevie, Tinley
  • 177: Alli, Annelise, Caelyn, Carrie, Celina, Dani, Jasmyn, Jazmyne, Kaci, Paislee, Toni
  • 176: Destiney, Gisele, Mabel, Rita, Sandy, Yarely
  • 175: Brandy, Brookelyn, Caitlynn, Estefany, Jaclyn, Kora, Mackenna, Marely
  • 174: Amariah, Amia, Deasia, Jaedyn, Justine
  • 173: Adamaris, Emmie, Nichole, Preslee, Rilee, Shirley
  • 172: Calleigh, Jaycie, Lilyann, Maddie
  • 171: Anita, Antonella, Bridgette, Lillyan
  • 170: Kalyn, Kirra, Sahara
  • 169: Analy, Kamiya, Lacy, Litzy, Mariajose, Maylee, Zaira
  • 168: Alex, Avani, Eunice, Jenesis, Monique, Nya, Wynter
  • 167: Ariyanna, Dina, Margarita, Nikki, Roxana
  • 166: Asha, Kacey, Karolina, Raya
  • 165: Estefani, Haidyn, Harleigh, Hillary, Josselyn, Kalea, Melia, Priya, Star
  • 164: Azalea, Drew, Lillyann, Magnolia, Miyah, Natali
  • 163: Ayden, Ayva, Gwen
  • 162: Alora, Aniah, Elana, Rhianna, Xochitl
  • 161: Aubry, Colbie, Devin, Freya, Milani, Noelia, Pyper, Rhiannon
  • 160: Audra, Faye, Jael, Kaylani, Maxine, Mayte, Nelly, Roxanna
  • 159: Adrian, Alessia, Carsyn, Everly, Gwenyth, Noel, Samaria, Tina, Ziva
  • 158: Alize, Amerie, Carter, Stacey
  • 157: Brylie, Camdyn, Dayanna, Emerie, Leena, Louisa, Robin, Yaretzy
  • 156: Brandi, Breana, Dalila, Eryn, Samya, Tayler
  • 155: Estelle, Kahlan, Margot, Veda
  • 154: Abygail, Aida, Alexi, Belle, Betsy, Christian, Coral, Jacklyn, Kalli, Tatyana
  • 153: Aubriana, Hattie, Jacie, Jaya, Marcella, Mylah, Rocio
  • 152: Aubrielle, Beatriz, Delanie, Ila, Lilyan, Meagan, Robyn, Savana
  • 151: Darby, Ellianna, Janie, Malina, Penny
  • 150: Allyssa, Bryana, Isha, Priscila, Susanna, Zahara
  • 149: Anissa, Brynley, Carol, Constance, Ellis, Geneva, Gizelle, Halo, Jasleen, Joana, Sahana
  • 148: Amberly, Anniston, Cailey, Farah, Nadine, Nailah, Rosalyn, Scout, Sheyla
  • 147: Adelle, Arlette, Austyn, Berenice, Estefania, Evalynn, Kaniyah, Lluvia, Makenzi, Mariella, Ryley, Shaelyn
  • 146: Elia, Josslyn, Louise, Mayah, Nariyah, Zoya
  • 145: Alianna, Capri, Ginger, Jaslynn, Katerina, Khloee, Kinlee, Linnea
  • 144: Anaiah, Ericka, Hadleigh, Juana, Keziah, Raniyah, Vida
  • 143: Arleth, Brea, Fabiola, Flor, Jaeda, Katlyn, Lela, Lucie, Maylin
  • 142: Darcy, Dasia, Jalyn, Rilynn, Sylvie, Taelyn
  • 141: Aniston, Chyna, Emmaleigh, Janaya, Trista, Zaylee
  • 140: Chiara, Emmeline, Thea
  • 139: Alyse, Candice, Carmella, Cayleigh, Kyrie, Yaneli, Yulissa
  • 138: Alasia, Darla, Diane, Leilany, Lilli, Paulette
  • 137: Amora, Cielo, Jurnee, Kacie, Makiya, Marlen, Reilly
  • 136: Alexandrea, Alyssia, Anayah, Andi, Holland, Keren, Sahasra, Yahaira
  • 135: Aja, Issabella, Kelis, Malayah
  • 134: Adaline, Addelyn, Anali, Ayah, Ema, Emalee, Layna, Leanne, Londynn, Triniti
  • 133: Adilene, Adilyn, Avril, Cailin, Calla, Charlene, Elisha, Jazlene, Melani, Yessenia
  • 132: Analeigh, Candace, Clementine, Kloey, Yolanda
  • 131: Alexys, Anisa, Ari, Della, Leela, Milania
  • 130: Aven, Cloe, Danae, Dianna, Grayson, Keegan
  • 129: Annmarie, Betty, Brianne, Calli, Kenleigh, Malka, Skylah, Taleah, Trisha
  • 128: Annaleigh, Avalyn, Baileigh, Brynna, Grecia, Harlie, Harmonie, Jaela, Katarina, Makaela, Maliya, Melisa
  • 127: Adela, Jackelyn, Janya, Jazelle, Jianna, Kennadi, Marjorie
  • 126: Andie, Felicia, Jorja, Kaily, Katharine, Mallorie, Mari, Milla, Ramona, Vianney, Yvonne
  • 125: Daniyah, Jayna, Kalani, Katalina, Kelsi, Kiya, Kristine, Rayleigh, Remy, Shira, Starr, Tracy
  • 124: Christy, Hadlee, Jovie, Naya, Shakira
  • 123: Adalee, Addilynn, Beatrix, Kami, Kenadee, Maisie, Rania, Solange, Yuna
  • 122: Alysa, Aminah, Claira, Elora, Emmerson, Isadora, Jaci, Jiselle, Kinslee, Marcela, Rosie
  • 121: Anisha, Avalon, Cayden, Citlaly, Eleni, Jenifer, Kasandra, Madisen, Makinley, Nala, Roxy, Samaya
  • 120: Camden, Ivette, Jeanette, Judy, Montserrat, Quincy, Taylar, Whitley
  • 119: Adrianne, Angely, Arianny, Baylie, Daria, Ester, Jahzara, Kenzi, Makyla, Remington, Tallulah
  • 118: Addalyn, Ebony, Emerald, Jaquelin, Leann, Martina, Maryann, Nikita, Poppy, Vanesa
  • 117: Aime, Audree, Ela, Emalyn, Heavenly, Malena, Melodie, Nellie, Oakley, Rachelle, Stormy, Viola
  • 116: Alonna, Brooklynne, Dior, Jaila, Lupita, Rosario, Taylin, Vianey, Yuridia
  • 115: Adamari, Audrie, Chandler, Jamiah, Kalina, Kaniya, Kayle, Randi, Xitlali
  • 114: Alba, Allegra, Ariela, Charis, Collins, Ivory, Joseline, Kamdyn, Kaylan, Lourdes, Norma, Saniah
  • 113: Alliyah, Alysha, Briza, Flora, Kari, Kensington, Maryn, Sade, Taytum, Yasmeen
  • 112: Anaiya, Brook, Ciera, Davina, Elli, Katheryn, Khadija, Madysen, Mindy, Roslyn, Semaj, Yael
  • 111: Adina, Amaria, Ania, Anushka, August, Carys, Frankie, Gitty, Jalaya, Janay, Kenlee, Nayla, Neha, Ria, Shoshana, Siri, Taylee
  • 110: Alea, Ariya, Cambree, Devon, Juanita, Khloie, Lisette, Lori, Lynn, Persephone, Prisha, Teegan
  • 109: Aila, Braylin, Breonna, Cianna, Emi, Jalissa, Jessalyn, Johannah, Jolee, Magdalene, Mariel, Shay, Skylee, Zoee
  • 108: Annamarie, Gracey, Haily, Iman, Julisa, Kaileigh, Laken, Lamya, Loren, Raylynn, Rhyan, Sanjana, Sonja, Yoselyn
  • 107: Addysen, Analee, Avalynn, Aymar, Giulianna, Haiden, Henley, Kaliah, Kamaria, Lyndsey, Mylie, Seraphina, Tanisha
  • 106: Aiden, Annalisa, Arionna, Blessing, Carrington, Dafne, Jesse, Kaydance, Lynette, May, Rhylee, Rylynn, Samia, Sol, Veronika
  • 105: Adilynn, Britany, Cameryn, Chevelle, Ciana, Jackie, Josalyn, Mariya, Raleigh, Skylynn, Sydnie, Tristyn, Zaina
  • 104: Aleksandra, Alycia, Anijah, Elysia, Jennah, Kristy, Lexus, Lexy, Liyah, Sabina, Tyra, Vicky
  • 103: Akshara, Alysia, Anaiyah, Araya, Brinlee, Dasha, Elinor, Giulia, Gladys, Jena, Joanne, Katelin, Kinleigh, Mandy, Myka, Preslie, Rylin, Sydni, Taliah, Violette, Ysabella, Zayla
  • 102: Ariadna, Azucena, Divya, Jacquelin, Joey, Karely, Khloey, Makiah, Miabella, Neriah, Olyvia, Ruthie, Saphira, Tanvi, Zaida
  • 101: Candy, Daira, Isobel, Jailynn, Janette, Janyla, Jessenia, Jiya, Kalista, Luella, Meera, Navaeh, Niya, Rain, Sana, Valencia, Zooey
  • 100: Aleyah, Alysson, Ayesha, Corina, Egypt, Imogen, Italia, Karmyn, Sariya, Zariya

Here’s the equivalent boys’ list for 2010.

Update, Aug. 2023: “Girl names beyond the top 1,000 of 2022” is a more recent version of this list.

Source: SSA

Image: Adapted from Scattered stars in Sagittarius by ESA/Hubble under CC BY 4.0.

What popularized the baby name Marilyn in the 1920s?

Broadway actress Marilyn Miller (1898-1936)
Marilyn Miller

In the early 1920s, the baby name Marilyn, which was already on the rise, began to rise much more swiftly:

  • 1925: 3,419 baby girls named Marilyn [rank: 83rd]
  • 1924: 2,860 baby girls named Marilyn [rank: 101st]
  • 1923: 2,286 baby girls named Marilyn [rank: 118th]
  • 1922: 1,698 baby girls named Marilyn [rank: 145th]
  • 1921: 696 baby girls named Marilyn [rank: 253rd]
  • 1920: 522 baby girls named Marilyn [rank: 288th]

By 1925, it was one of the top 100 girl names in the nation.

Graph of the popularity of the baby name Marilyn in the U.S. since 1880.
Usage of the baby name Marilyn

What popularized it?

Broadway star Marilyn Miller, who was at the height of her fame in the 1920s. After performing in several Ziegfeld Follies shows, she went on to star in musical comedies like Sally (1920), Sunny (1925), and Rosalie (1928). She also appeared in several films.

She was born Mary Ellen Reynolds in Indiana in 1898. Her stage name was created by combining her first name with her mother’s middle name (Lynn), and adding her stepfather’s surname (Miller). She initially spelled it “Marilynn.”

Sadly, Marilyn Miller died in 1936 (due to complications following nasal surgery). The same year, the name Marilyn reached the highest ranking it would ever attain:

  • 1939: 9,539 baby girls named Marilyn [rank: 19th]
  • 1938: 9,745 baby girls named Marilyn [rank: 19th]
  • 1937: 9,738 baby girls named Marilyn [rank: 13th]
  • 1936: 11,065 baby girls named Marilyn [rank: 13th]
  • 1935: 10,416 baby girls named Marilyn [rank: 14th]
  • 1934: 9,384 baby girls named Marilyn [rank: 17th]

A decade later, in 1946, Twentieth Century Fox executive Ben Lyon — a former actor who had co-stared with Marilyn Miller in her last film — signed a young actress named Norma Jeane Baker. She reminded him of Miller, so he suggested that she change her name to “Marilyn.” Adding her mother’s maiden name, she became “Marilyn Monroe.”

The baby name Marilyn remained in the top 100 until 1959, with Marilyn Monroe giving it a bit of a boost in the mid-1950s. Since then, though, usage has been slowly declining (except for a couple of years in the early 2010s, thanks to the 2011 Marilyn Monroe biopic My Week with Marilyn).

What are your thoughts on the name Marilyn?

Sources:

P.S. A few decades later, another Mary Ellen in the entertainment business became famous under the name Mala…