The 1900s was a fascinating decade of American naming culture, when parents embraced both the traditional and the wildly unconventional. From political surnames to Greek letters, from playful nicknames to elaborate Victorian monikers, the names that topped birth records tell a rich story of the era's values and imagination. While many of these names have faded from common use, they capture a moment when American parents felt free to experiment with nomenclature in ways that might surprise modern sensibilities. This list explores 50 names that peaked during the early 20th century, each representing a unique snapshot of the decade's diverse naming landscape and the families who chose them for their children.
- Taft — Taft reached US rank #273 in 1908 with 62 births, likely inspired by President William Howard Taft's political prominence.
- Ena — Ena peaked at US rank #352 in 1906 with 89 births, making it one of the decade's most popular unusual names.
- Bell — Bell claimed US rank #423 in 1900 with 63 births, a name reflecting the era's appreciation for simple, nature-inspired choices.
- Edrie — Edrie hit US rank #577 in 1908 with 42 births, a quirky variation that appealed to adventurous parents.
- Sophronia — Sophronia reached US rank #622 in 1900 with 33 births, representing the Victorian love of elaborate classical names.
- Effie — Effie peaked at US rank #707 in 1900 with just 13 births, a diminutive that never quite caught on.
- Delphin — Delphin reached US rank #749 in 1907 with 13 births, a rare name with dolphin-inspired origins.
- Dellar — Dellar hit US rank #809 in 1900 with 21 births, an uncommon choice for parents seeking distinctive alternatives.
- Sing — Sing peaked at US rank #831 in 1905 with 10 births, reflecting the diverse immigrant communities shaping American names.
- Goebel — Goebel reached US rank #868 in 1900 with 10 births, a German-influenced surname used as a given name.
- Theta — Theta claimed US rank #868 in 1907 with 20 births, drawing from Greek alphabet nomenclature.
- Dillie — Dillie hit US rank #882 in 1905 with 18 births, a playful nickname that some parents chose as a formal name.
- Tallie — Tallie peaked at US rank #899 in 1900 with 10 births, a casual variant of more traditional names.
- Doll — Doll reached US rank #952 in 1902 with only 7 births, an affectionate term rarely used as an official name.
- Luvinia — Luvinia hit US rank #998 in 1900 with 15 births, a romantic name combining "love" with classical endings.
- Ader — Ader peaked at US rank #1009 in 1900 with 14 births, an obscure choice that disappeared quickly from records.
- Rissie — Rissie reached US rank #1097 in 1900 with 13 births, a nickname form that occasionally appeared as a given name.
- Tishie — Tishie hit US rank #1100 in 1900 with 13 births, a diminutive that reflected informal naming conventions of the era.
- Every — Every peaked at US rank #1108 in 1901 with only 5 births, an unusual word-name choice.
- Fairbanks — Fairbanks reached US rank #1112 in 1904 with 6 births, a surname likely referencing the Alaskan city or notable families.
- Lim — Lim hit US rank #1121 in 1900 with 7 births, reflecting Asian immigrant populations in early 1900s America.
- Josefita — Josefita peaked at US rank #1135 in 1900 with 12 births, a Spanish diminutive gaining minor traction in American families.
- Elmire — Elmire reached US rank #1177 in 1906 with 11 births, a rare name with mysterious origins.
- Leathia — Leathia hit US rank #1210 in 1904 with 10 births, an invented name that never gained widespread adoption.
- Lima — Lima peaked at US rank #1214 in 1904 with 10 births, possibly referencing the Peruvian capital.
- Albirta — Albirta reached US rank #1240 in 1905 with 10 births, a variant of Alberta with distinctive spelling.
- Ermon — Ermon hit US rank #1257 in 1900 with 10 births, an obscure name that faded from common use.
- Lanham — Lanham peaked at US rank #1271 in 1907 with 6 births, a surname occasionally used as a given name during this period.
- Nettye — Nettye reached US rank #1280 in 1903 with 9 births, an ornate spelling of a simpler traditional name.
- Rhodie — Rhodie hit US rank #1294 in 1903 with 9 births, a casual variant that appeared sporadically in birth records.
- Thursa — Thursa peaked at US rank #1313 in 1906 with 10 births, a rare name with unclear etymological roots.
- Bamma — Bamma reached US rank #1328 in 1900 with 9 births, an affectionate nickname that some parents chose as a formal name.
- Killis — Killis hit US rank #1336 in 1905 with only 5 births, an unusual choice that left minimal impact.
- Bruster — Bruster peaked at US rank #1340 in 1900 with 5 births, a surname-inspired name rarely used for children.
- Crescentia — Crescentia reached US rank #1345 in 1903 with 8 births, a classical name referencing growth and increase.
- Edia — Edia hit US rank #1353 in 1902 with 8 births, a shortened form of longer Victorian names.
- Pioet — Pioet peaked at US rank #1381 in 1905 with only 5 births, an exceptionally rare name of uncertain origin.
- Luttie — Luttie reached US rank #1384 in 1906 with 9 births, a playful diminutive used as a standalone name.
- Dacie — Dacie hit US rank #1389 in 1907 with 5 births, a casual nickname appearing occasionally in formal records.
- Emer — Emer peaked at US rank #1397 in 1907 with 5 births, a rare choice that never developed lasting popularity.
- Ercie — Ercie reached US rank #1401 in 1909 with 10 births, an invented variant reflecting creative naming trends.
- Alfaretta — Alfaretta hit US rank #1422 in 1905 with 8 births, an elaborate name combining multiple elements.
- Pet — Pet peaked at US rank #1454 in 1900 with 5 births, a term of endearment rarely formalized as a given name.
- Vinia — Vinia reached US rank #1466 in 1909 with 10 births, a shortened form of longer classical names.
- Mirla — Mirla hit US rank #1473 in 1907 with 9 births, an uncommon name that appeared briefly in records.
- Quinnie — Quinnie peaked at US rank #1486 in 1907 with 9 births, a whimsical variant of more traditional names.
- Arrilla — Arrilla reached US rank #1491 in 1901 with 6 births, a rare name that faded quickly from use.
- Wert — Wert hit US rank #1500 in 1900 with 5 births, an archaic surname occasionally chosen as a given name.
- Mineola — Mineola peaked at US rank #1523 in 1900 with 8 births, referencing a Long Island place name.
- Evester — Evester reached US rank #1529 in 1909 with only 5 births, an invented name that never gained traction.
More ways to explore
Discover more forgotten names from the 1900s and explore how naming trends have evolved throughout American history on our site! Browse all names →