Do you ever feel like you were born in the wrong decade? Like maybe you would have really rocked the pencil dresses in the 50s, or that you would have made an excellent hippie in the 70s? Now that you’re looking for the perfect baby name for your little girl you can channel your favorite decade! Pick a name from a time that resonates the most with you. Below is a list of the 10 most popular U.S. baby girl names by decade since the turn of the century.
Jump to the most popular U.S. baby girl names by decade:
This name list has been pulled from the United States Social Security Website. You’ll notice that some names have staying power for many decades (Hello, MARY!) while others disappear and then make a big comeback (like Elizabeth!)
While you’re trying to think of a name with your partner, quiz them on what they think the top 10 girl names were from the decade they were born! They’ll definitely remember at least one person these names. Count how many Ashleys they dated in high school.
Most popular U.S. baby girl names by decade: the 1900s
Mary is by far the most popular name of this decade.
Source: Social Security Administration
Most common girl names in the 1910s
Mary remains at the #1 spot. Frances and Virginia emerge on the top 10.
Source: Social Security Administration
Related: Baby Girl names inspired by the Earth
Most popular American female names in the 1920s
Mary is still holding strong at #1. Helen, Dorothy, Margaret and Ruth remain very popular as well. Betty and Doris come in to play while Elizabeth moves out of the top 10.
Source: Social Security Administration
Most popular American girl names in the 1930s
Mary, Mary, quite contrary remains at the top. Ruth, Virginia and Mildred are all moved out of the top and replaced by Shirley, Joan and Nancy.
Source: Social Security Administration
Most popular U.S. baby girl names by decade: The 1940s
Mary still reigns supreme but many other previously popular names are replaced. For the first time in 40 years Margaret, Dorothy and Helen are not in the top ten.
Source: Social Security Administration
Most popular baby girl names in the 1950s
Susan, Deborah and Patricia become very popular in the 1950s. Mary remains at #1 and Linda at #2.
Source: Social Security Administration
Most popular U.S. baby girl names by decade: the 1960s
Bob Dylan was right when he sang “The times they are a-changin’.” For the first time since before the turn of the century Mary is not the most popular baby girl name in America. Lisa is! Susan, Karen and Kimberly become extremely popular this decade while Nancy falls below the top 10.
Source: Social Security Administration
Most popular U.S. girl names during the 1970s
Jennifer becomes incredibly popular this decade, while Mary falls off of the top ten spot completely.
Source: Social Security Administration
Most common baby girl names in the 1980s
Jessica pulls ahead of Jennifer. Michelle falls off the top ten list and is replaced with Melissa. Elizabeth is back on the list after being off since the 1910s.
Source: Social Security Administration
Most popular girl names in the 1990s
Jessica spends another decade in the #1 spot. Ashley and Sarah remain in the top 10, but Stephanie falls off.
Source: Social Security Administration
Most popular girl names in the 2000s
Jessica falls off of the list after being #1 for 20 years. Emily, Ashley and Elizabeth remain popular. Olivia, Emma, Madison and Isabella become very popular.
Source: Social Security Administration
Most popular U.S. baby girl names by decade: the 2010s
The top name goes from Emily to Emma, although Emily is still on the list. Olivia, Isabella and Madison remain popular for another decade.
Source: Social Security Administration