Names That Have Gone Out of Style

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What do the names Shirley, Mildred, Judy, and Shannon have in common? At one time, they were among the 20 most popular names for girls in the United States. However, by the year 2015, they had fallen out of the top 1,000.

Scroll down to see a table of all the names that were once in the top 20 for their gender, but now don't even crack the top 1,000.

A few interesting notes:

  • There are 33 female names on the list, but only 2 male names (Fred and Clarence). In general there is much greater year-to-year variance in women's names.

  • Shirley and Betty were popular names before Shirley Temple and Betty Boop became well-known.

  • Ron Swanson seems like he'd be just the right age to have 3 wives named Tammy.

  • It makes me happy that stereotypical grandma names like Gladys and Ethel appear on the list. Gertrude is a near miss, having peaked at #23 in the year 1900.

PeakYear of PeakName
11928Betty
11935Shirley
11956Debra
31941Carol
41931Joan
41959Donna
51912Mildred
51929Doris
61900Florence
71900Ethel
71963Lori
71966Tammy
91953Pamela
91970Tracy
101901Gladys
101946Judy
111900Edna
111926Jean
121930Dolores
121958Cheryl
131937Beverly
131955Diane
131958Kathy
131971Dawn
141900Bessie
151900Bertha
151938Janet
161900Fred
161901Clarence
161912Louise
161929Lois
161976Shannon
171968Tina
181957Cindy
191959Debbie
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Level 65
Jun 9, 2016
Quizmaster, make this into a quiz, please!
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Level ∞
Jun 9, 2016
Originally, it was going to be a quiz, but I thought it would be too hard so I started a blog instead. :)
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Level ∞
Jun 9, 2016
Of course, if someone else wanted to do it, I wouldn't be opposed. Would probably have to include some pretty big hints.
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Level 65
Jun 10, 2016
Funny! :)
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Level 65
Jun 9, 2016
Lol waiting for more. Can you add a 'follow' button?
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Level 84
Jun 10, 2016
A blog, great idea!
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Level 60
Jun 10, 2016
Nice idea for a a blog! Can't wait for the next one
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Level 86
Jun 10, 2016
Awww, my mom's name is Shirley. She wears it well.
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Level 69
Jun 11, 2016
The website is developing. Soon there will be profil pictures and likeable comments. ^^
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Level 65
Jul 14, 2016
Sure?
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Level 39
May 8, 2019
Likable comments kinda happened. Profile pictures sounds like a disaster.
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Level 40
Sep 30, 2019
Wow, you're good.
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Level 20
Mar 21, 2024
No, i like that idea, then you could have some really funny profile pictures
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Level 60
Jun 11, 2016
Mine, my mom, my mother-in-law, my step-mother, two aunts, a cousin and my grandfather's name are all on this list. I guess my family likes to choose fad names :P
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Level 65
Jul 14, 2016
Nice, Fred! is that one it?
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Level 17
Jul 3, 2017
uh... yeah?!
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Level 54
Aug 19, 2016
I am glad Josephine is not on this list. It was my Grandma's name and now I have 2 nieces who are Josephines or Joseys
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Level 66
Jun 27, 2017
I was expecting to see Alayne on here
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Level 69
Aug 11, 2018
Great blog! Going back a few generations in my family yields names like Aquila, Doris, and Cornelia.
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Level 67
Aug 6, 2020
My grandma's name is Joan and her sister is Lorie
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Level 75
Sep 28, 2020
I didn't even know Doloris was a name