60s Names for Infants: Meanings and Origins

September 2, 2024

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The most well-liked ‘60s names shouldn’t come as a giant shock. In reality, a lot of them are nonetheless extensively used as we speak. (John, a lot?) It’s extremely possible that the title of not less than one particular person in your life born within the Sixties—a member of the family, a trainer, a boss, and many others.—will seem on this listing. For a decade outlined by a lot cultural and technological change, the title developments remained largely constant in the USA.

What has modified, nonetheless? A number of of the most well-liked child names of the Sixties at the moment are stylish as gender-neutral choices, like Robin and Perry. And since so many of those names at the moment are related to our dad and mom and grandparents, they’ve began to fall out of favor lately—which suggests they’re due for a comeback quickly.

So whether or not you’re searching for a traditional title or only a actually massive fan of Mad Males and mid-century furnishings, think about certainly one of these ‘60s names on your baby.

Mother and father / Getty Pictures

Though many child names are sometimes separated by gender, Mother and father believes that intercourse doesn’t must play a task in deciding on names. It is vital to decide on a reputation you’re feeling suits your youngster greatest.

Common ’60s Names for Boys

Mother and father preferring extra established names over quirky, uncommon picks will discover lots of inspiration among the many hottest ‘60s names for boys. However if you would like one thing with a classic really feel that doesn’t really feel too overdone, think about one of many many cute nicknames and variations you’ll discover included on this listing.

Michael

Origin: Hebrew
That means: Who’s like God?
Different Spellings & Variations: Mike, Mick

David

Origin: Hebrew
That means: Beloved
Different Spellings & Variations: Dave, Davey, Davy

John

Origin: Hebrew
That means: God is gracious
Different Spellings & Variations: Jon, Johnny, Jonathan, Jack

Robert

Origin: English, German
That means: Vibrant fame
Different Spellings & Variations: Rob, Bob, Bobby, Robb, Robby, Robbie

Mark

Origin: Latin
That means: Warlike
Different Spellings & Variations: Marc

William

Origin: German
That means: Resolute safety
Different Spellings & Variations: Will, Invoice, Wilhelm, Billy, Liam, Will

Richard

Origin: German
That means: Dominant ruler
Different Spellings & Variations: Wealthy, Dick, Rick, Richie, Dickie, Ricky

Thomas

Origin: Aramaic
That means: Twin
Different Spellings & Variations: Tommy, Tommie, Tom, Tomas

Jeffrey

Origin: German, English
That means: Pledge of peace
Different Spellings & Variations: Jeff, Geoffrey

Steven

Origin: Greek
That means: Garland, crown
Different Spellings & Variations: Stephen, Steve, Stevie, Stevan, Stevon

Extra ’60s Names for Boys

Joseph: This traditional boy title comes with lots of choices for nicknames and variations, together with Joe, Joey, Jose, and Josef amongst them. For female choices, you might think about Josephine, Josie, or Joanne.
Timothy: Timothy reached its peak reputation in the USA in 1967, when 28,587 child boys got the primary title.
Kevin: Derived from the Irish title Caoimhín, Kevin means “good-looking.” An ideal child title on your little cutie, no?
Scott: There are a number of well-known namesakes who would possibly encourage you to call your youngster Scott, together with novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald, composer Scott Joplin, or perhaps even the graphic novel and film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
Brian: A local Irish title, it was outlawed within the nation throughout centuries of British rule till after the battle for Irish independence in 1916.
Charles: Whereas Charles continues to be mostly used as a boy title, the by-product Charlie has change into a particularly well-liked gender-neutral alternative.
Paul: In case you’re searching for a pop-culture impressed Sixties title, why not go along with essentially the most well-known Paul of the last decade, Beatles singer and songwriter Paul McCartney?

Common ’60s Names For Women

The highest ‘60s lady names additionally occur to make nice center names. Easy and acquainted, these names would pair nicely with a contemporary or extra “on the market” first title.

Lisa

Origin: Hebrew, English
That means: Pledged to God
Different Spellings & Variations: Leesa, Liza, Lysa

Mary

Origin: Hebrew
That means: Drop of the ocean, bitter, or beloved
Different Spellings & Variations: Mari, Maria, Mariam, Marie, Maryam

Susan

Origin: English, Hebrew
That means: Lily
Different Spellings & Variations: Susannah, Susanna, Sue, Susie, Suzy, Suzanne

Karen

Origin: Danish
That means: Pure
Different Spellings & Variations: Caren, Caryn, Karan, Karin, Karyn, Kerryn

Enjoyable Truth

As soon as the title Karen turned a meme as shorthand for a white girl with dangerous conduct, the title drastically fell in reputation and is not discovered among the many prime 1,000 child names within the US after spending a century on the listing.

Kimberly

Origin: English
That means: Cyneburga’s meadow
Different Spellings & Variations: Kimberley, Kim, Kimberlee

Patricia

Origin: Latin
That means: Noble, patrician
Different Spellings & Variations: Patti, Pat, Patsy

Linda

Origin: Spanish, Portuguese, Italian
That means: Fairly
Different Spellings & Variations: Lynda, Linde

Donna

Origin: Italian
That means: Woman
Different Spellings & Variations: Dona, Dawna

Michelle

Origin: French
That means: Who’s like God
Different Spellings & Variations: Michele, Shelly

Cynthia

Origin: Greek
That means: Moon goddess
Different Spellings & Variations: Cindy, Cinthia, Cyndi, Cyndy, Cinny, Thea

Extra ’60s Names for Women

Sandra: The widespread enchantment of Gidget actor Sandra Dee brought about this child title to skyrocket within the ‘60s—and impressed that Grease hit you possibly can’t get out of your head.
Deborah: This title, which suggests bee, comes with lots of variations and nicknames. Deb, Debra, and Debbie are the obvious ones, however there are attention-grabbing and fewer frequent picks like Devorah and Debs as nicely.
Tammy: Tammy, brief for Tamara, hasn’t appeared within the prime 1,000 child names within the US since 1998. Maybe it’s time for a comeback?
Pamela: Pamela has, no doubt, the sweetest which means of any title on this listing: The English title stands for “all honey.”
Lori: Lori and Laurie—each derived from Laura—had been well-liked as a child title for Boomers, solely to be surpassed by Lauren for child Gen Xers and Millennials within the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Laura: After all, the OG title for Lori, Laura, was additionally steadily well-liked within the mid-century and stays so as we speak.
Elizabeth: One of the vital well-liked ladies’ names ever, this timeless alternative additionally comes with a lot of customizable nicknames like Eliza, Lizzie, Liz, Betsy, and many others.

Common Gender-Impartial ’60s Names

Mother and father of the Sixties might not have been as thoughtful of gender-neutral names as they’re as we speak, however there’s lots of inspiration to be discovered among the many trendiest child names of the last decade.

James

Origin: English, Hebrew
That means: Supplanter
Different Spellings & Variations: Jim, Jimmy, Jamie

Terry

Origin: English, Latin
That means: A diminutive of Terence or Theresa
Different Spellings & Variations: Terri, Teri, Terrie

Tony

Origin: Latin
That means: Priceless one
Different Spellings & Variations: Toni, Tonie, Toney, Tonnie, Tonny

Danny

Origin: Hebrew
That means: God is my choose
Different Spellings & Variations: Dani, Danni, Dannei, Dany

Shawn

Origin: Irish
That means: God is gracious
Different Spellings & Variations: Sean

Robin

Origin: English
That means: Vibrant fame
Different Spellings & Variations: Robyn, Robine

Jamie

Origin: Hebrew, Scottish
That means: Supplanter
Different Spellings & Variations: Jaime, Jayme, Jamey

Francis

Origin: Latin
That means: Free man
Different Spellings & Variations: Frances

Leslie

Origin: Scottish
That means: Backyard of holly
Different Spellings & Variations: Lesly, Lesley

Perry

Origin: English
That means: Dweller close to a pear tree
Different Spellings & Variations: Peri, Perrie, Perri

Extra Gender-Impartial ’60s Names

Jo: Jo is a straightforward solution to honor members of the family with longer “Jo-” names, resembling Joseph, Joanna or Joanne, Josephine, Joshua, and Josiah.
Lonnie: In case you’re not offered on the spelling of Lonnie, different choices could possibly be Lon, Lonny, Loni, or Lou.
Kerry: This Irish title means “darkish or darkish haired,” so perhaps hold it on the brief listing should you’re anticipating your baby to have raven hair.
Jesse: Historically, Jesse has been used as a boys’ title whereas the spelling Jessie was extra frequent for ladies. However who’s to say they will’t be interchangeable?
Kelly: Kelly, an Irish title meaning battle, was largely used as a boys’ title till the late Nineteen Fifties, when it began to achieve traction as each a unisex and ladies’ title.
Tracy: Some well-known of us with the title Tracy or Tracey embody comic Tracy Morgan, singer Tracy Chapman, and actor Tracy Letts.
Ronnie: A by-product of each Ronald and Veronica, Ronnie (or Rony/Roni, should you choose different spellings) has a pleasant playful, youthful vibe to it.