Though vast majority of the baby names on the Social Security Administration’s yearly baby name lists are repeats, every list does contain a handful of brand-new names.
Below are the highest-charting debut names for every single year on record, after the first.
Why bother with an analysis like this? Because debut names often have cool stories behind them, and high-hitting debuts are especially likely to have intriguing explanations tied to historical people/events. So this is more than a list of names — it’s also a list of stories.
Here’s the format: “Girl name(s), number of baby girls; Boy name(s), number of baby boys.” Keep in mind that the raw numbers aren’t too trustworthy for about the first six decades, though. (More on that in a minute.)
- 1881: Adell & Celeste, 14; Brown & Newell, 14
- 1882: Verda, 14; Cleve, 13
- 1883: Laurel, 12; Brady, Festus, Jewell, Odell & Rosco, 8
- 1884: Crystal & Rubie, 11; Benjamen, Jens, Oakley & Whitney, 9
- 1885: Clotilde, 13; Arley & Terence, 9
- 1886: Manuelita, 10; Terrence, 10
- 1887: Verlie, 13; Myles, 11
- 1888: Ebba, 18; Carlisle, Hughie & Orvel, 9
- 1889: Garnett, 12; Doyle, 9
- 1890: Verena, 11; Eduardo & Maggie, 10
- 1891: Gayle, Idabelle & Zenia, 9; Sheridan, 14
- 1892: Astrid, Dallas & Jennett, 9; Corbett, 23
- 1893: Elmyra, 12; Estel, Mayo, Shelley & Thorwald, 8
- 1894: Beatriz, Carola & Marrie, 9; Arvel, Erby & Floy, 8
- 1895: Trilby, 12; Roosevelt, 12
- 1896: Lotus, 11; Hazen, 11
- 1897: Dewey, 13; Bryon, Frankie, Mario & Rhoda, 7
- 1898: Manilla, 35; Hobson, 38
- 1899: Ardis & Irva, 19; Haven, 9
- 1900: Luciel, 14; Rosevelt, 20
- 1901: Venita, 11; Eino, 9
- 1902: Mercie, 10; Clarnce, 9
- 1903: Estela, 11; Lenon & Porfirio, 7
- 1904: Magdaline, 9; Adrain, Arbie, Betty, Desmond, Domenic, Duard, Raul & Severo, 8
- 1905: Oliver, 9; Eliot & Tyree, 9
- 1906: Nedra, 11; Domenico & Ryan, 10
- 1907: Theta, 20; Taft, 16
- 1908: Pasqualina, 10; Robley, 12
- 1909: Wilmoth, 9; Randal & Vidal, 9
- 1910: Ellouise, 12; Halley, 12
- 1911: Thurley, 12; Colie, 16
- 1912: Elynor, Glennis, Mariann, 12; Woodroe, 25
- 1913: Wilba, 18; Vilas, 24
- 1914: Floriene, 14; Torao, 17
- 1915: Wanza, 33; Audra, 18
- 1916: Tatsuko, 14; Verdun, 14
- 1917: Nerine, 43; Delwyn, 14
- 1918: Marne, 24; Foch, 58
- 1919: Tokie, 12; Juaquin, 11
- 1920: Dardanella, 23; Steele, 11
- 1921: Marilynne, 13; Norberto, 14
- 1922: Evelean, 14; Daren, 35
- 1923: Nalda, 15; Clinard & Dorland, 9
- 1924: Charis, 14; Melquiades, 13
- 1925: Irmalee, 37; Wayburn, 11
- 1926: Narice, 13; Bibb, 14
- 1927: Sunya, 14; Bidwell, 14
- 1928: Joreen, 22; Alfread & Brevard, 9
- 1929: Jeannene, 25; Donnald, Edsol, Rhys & Wolfgang, 8
- 1930: Laquita, 68; Shogo, 11
- 1931: Joanie, 12; Rockne, 17
- 1932: Carolann, Delano & Jenine, 11; Alvyn, Avelardo, Elena, Mannon & Wenford, 7
- 1933: Gayleen, 23; Skippy, 10
- 1934: Carollee & Janean, 12; Franchot, 9
- 1935: Treasure, 16; Haile, 11
- 1936: Shelva, 89; Renny & Shelva, 9
This is where the numbers start becoming more accurate. Why? 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:
- 1937: Deeann, 18; Gaynell, 11
- 1938: Sonjia, 19; Daivd, 9
- 1939: Thanna, 17; Brenda, 19
- 1940: Sierra, 32; Willkie, 13
- 1941: Jerilynn, 56; Saford, 11
- 1942: Dwala, Gerilyn & Rise, 15; Mcarther, 23
- 1943: Sharelle, 28; Howie, 10
- 1944: Deatra, 29; Kipp, 9
- 1945: Sherida, 26; Vickie, 10
- 1946: Suzzette, 17; Sung & Tyronne, 8
- 1947: Rory, 41; Eliezer, 11
- 1948: Vickii, 30; Ridge, 10
- 1949: Rainelle, 46; Ezzard, 21
- 1950: Monalisa, 35; Broderick, 30
- 1951: Debralee, 19; Cregg, 10
- 1952: Terria, 17; Faron & Gevan, 12
- 1953: Trenace, 32; Caster, 21
- 1954: Corby, 39; Durk, 17
- 1955: Shevawn, 36; Anothony & Erol, 10
- 1956: Siobhan, 58; Dondi, 19
- 1957: Tierney, 46; Maverick, 32
- 1958: Tamre, 63; Hoby, 30
- 1959: Torey, 102; Rowdy, 22
- 1960: Leshia, 76; Cully, 31
- 1961: Lavoris, 36; Jefre, 21
- 1962: Lafondra, 30; Thadd, 10
- 1963: Phaedra, 70; Medgar, 25
- 1964: Djuna, 198; Janssen, 16
- 1965: Latrenda, 89; Illya, 35
- 1966: Indira, 43; Jarred, 17
- 1967: Cinnamon, 40; Clayt, 13
- 1968: Laryssa, 67; Jemal, 47
- 1969: Omayra, 42; Tige, 28
- 1970: Shilo, 38; Toriano, 62
- 1971: Ayanna, 194; Diallo, 54
- 1972: Cotina, 109; Jabbar, 77
- 1973: Yajaira, 55; Yohance, 44
- 1974: Shalawn, 70; Nakia, 611
- 1975: Azure, 121; Viet, 23
- 1976: Tynisa, 79; Delvecchio, 27
- 1977: Kizzy, 1,115; Levar, 523
- 1978: Enjoli, 35; Mychal, 59
- 1979: Chimere, 78; Jorel, 22
- 1980: Lerin, 35; Tou, 33
- 1981: Fallon, 232; Taurean, 91
- 1982: Tyechia, 71; Eder, 48
- 1983: Mallori, 35; Jonerik & Marquita, 20
- 1984: Nastassja, 40; Eldra, 17
- 1985: Sade, 392; Rishawn, 25
- 1986: Myleka, 38; Cordero, 173
- 1987: Jaleesa, 116; Teyon, 25
- 1988: Jalesa, 77; Kadeem, 52
- 1989: Alexandr*, 301; Christop*, 1,082 [Audreanna, 80; Khiry, 158]
- 1990: Isamar, 446; Dajour, 26
- 1991: Emilce, 30; Quayshaun, 93
- 1992: Akeiba, 49; Devanta, 41
- 1993: Rosangelica, 91; Deyonta, 37
- 1994: Ajee, 185; Shyheim, 168
- 1995: Yamilex, 130; Alize, 30
- 1996: Moesha, 426; Quindon, 67
- 1997: Erykah, 279; Cross, 43
- 1998: Naidelyn, 78; Zyshonne, 26
- 1999: Verania, 62; Cauy, 32
- 2000: Kelis, 108; Rithik, 22
- 2001: Yaire, 184; Jahiem, 155
- 2002: Kaydence, 70; Omarian, 31
- 2003: Trenyce, 88; Pharrell, 67
- 2004: Eshal, 38; Jkwon, 100
- 2005: Yarisbel, 30; Jayceon, 48
- 2006: Lizania, 35; Balian, 24
- 2007: Leilene, 81; Yurem, 206
- 2008: Aideliz, 91; Yosgart, 72
- 2009: Greidys, 186; Jeremih, 87
- 2010: Tynlee, 42; Vadhir, 55
- 2011: Magaby, 50; Jionni, 63
- 2012: Kimbella, 52; Naksh, 28
- 2013: Vanellope, 63; Jaceyon, 89
- 2014: Dalary, 215; Llewyn, 38
- 2015: Kehlani, 48; Gotham, 46
- 2016: Rey, 63; Yuvin, 34
- 2017: Camreigh, 91; Asahd, 59
- 2018: Zhavia, 306; Jahseh, 65
- 2019: Adeya, 22; Armias, 54
- 2020: Dalett, 94; Aarnik, 14
- 2021: Namaari, 43; Azaire, 25
I’ve already written about some of the names above, and I plan to write about all the others as well…eventually. In the meanwhile, if you want to beat me to it and leave a comment about why Maverick hit in 1957, or why Moesha hit in 1996, feel free!
*If you ignore the baby name glitch of 1989, the top debut names of 1989 are actually Audreanna and Khiry.
Image by kazuend from Unsplash