Mid-century Baby Names
192 Mid-century names with meanings, U.S. popularity, and audio pronunciation on every page.
Mid Century baby names are the first names that filled American classrooms, playgrounds and birth announcements from the 1940s through the early 1960s — sturdy, friendly and unmistakably classic. Think Linda and Barbara for girls, Gerald and Dennis for boys — names that felt modern to their own parents and now read as warmly nostalgic.
What makes a name feel Mid Century?
Two qualities define the era: crisp, no-nonsense given names, and a fondness for casual nickname-style names used right on the birth certificate, like Ricky, Randy and Sally. These names feel easygoing and approachable, built for backyard barbecues rather than formal occasions.
Mid Century girl names
Girl names from this period carry a soft, ladylike confidence — Susan, Nancy, Deborah and Carolyn were everyday staples, while Jolene and Kathleen added a touch of Southern charm.
Mid Century boy names
Boy names leaned solid and dependable, from Brian and Jeffrey to Gary and Larry — names that sounded sturdy on a job application and friendly on a report card.
Why parents love them today
These names are ripe for revival: familiar enough to feel safe, unusual enough among today’s babies to stand out. Picks like Dustin and Wendy bring warm nostalgia without feeling dated.
Every name below links to its own page with a sourced meaning, U.S. popularity, famous bearers, and a clear audio pronunciation — so you can hear it before you choose.
Mid-century Girl Names
Jolene#666 in the U.S.American elaboration of Josephine or a combination of Jo and the popular -lene or -leen suffix;▶Monica#737 in the U.S.Of uncertain origin; possibly from the Latin moneo (to advise, to warn) or from a North African▶Cynthia#826 in the U.S.From Mount Cynthus on the island of Delos; a poetic epithet of the goddess Artemis (Diana), who▶Kelly#852 in the U.S.Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic surname O'Ceallaigh, from ceallach meaning 'bright-headed',▶Paula#855 in the U.S.Feminine form of the Roman family name Paulus, from the Latin paulus meaning 'small' or 'humble▶Deborah#864 in the U.S.From the Hebrew devorah meaning 'bee', specifically the honeybee, which was associated in ancie▶Julie#873 in the U.S.French feminine form of Julius, from the Roman family name Iulius, possibly from the Greek ioul▶Linda#902 in the U.S.Short form of Germanic names ending in -lind or -linda, from Old High German lind meaning soft,▶Darla#941 in the U.S.English name derived from darling, an Old English term of endearment meaning beloved one or dea▶Nancy#967 in the U.S.Originally a medieval diminutive of Ann or Agnes, now understood as a pet form of Ann from Hebr▶Barbara#968 in the U.S.From Greek barbaros meaning foreign, strange, or one whose speech sounds like bar bar; used to ▶Kara#988 in the U.S.Dear, beloved; from Italian cara (dear, beloved)▶Lisa#991 in the U.S.Short form of Elisabeth or Elisa, from Hebrew Elisheba meaning my God is an oath, or my God is ▶Carla#1012 in the U.S.Free woman; Italian/Spanish feminine form of Carlo/Carlos, from Germanic karl (free man)▶Joyce#1042 in the U.S.Lord; from the Breton/Celtic personal name Iodoc (lord), via Norman French Josce; later folk-et▶Sandra#1045 in the U.S.Defender of men; short form of Alexandra/Alessandra, from Greek alexein (to defend) + aner (man▶Beverly#1046 in the U.S.Beaver stream; from Old English beofor (beaver) + leah (stream, clearing) — the original place ▶Renee#1048 in the U.S.Reborn; French feminine form of René, from Latin renatus (born again)▶Dana#1077 in the U.S.God is my judge; from Hebrew Dan (judge) as a feminine form; also an English place-name from Ol▶Wendy#1097 in the U.S.Friend; invented or popularized by J. M. Barrie for Peter Pan; possibly a pet form of Gwendolen▶Sally#1098 in the U.S.Princess; English pet form of Sarah, from Hebrew sarah (princess, noblewoman)▶Kathleen#1109 in the U.S.Pure; Irish anglicization of Caitlín, the Irish form of Katherine, from Greek Aikaterine▶Jillian#1132 in the U.S.Youthful; an English variant of Gillian, which is a feminine form of Julian, from Latin Julianu▶Susan#1136 in the U.S.Lily; from Hebrew Shoshannah (lily, rose), via Greek Sousanna and Latin Susanna▶Brenda#1139 in the U.S.Sword; from Old Norse brand (sword, blade) or possibly the feminine of Brendan (Irish: prince)▶Carolyn#1163 in the U.S.Free woman; English form of Caroline, feminine of Carolus (Charles), from Germanic karl (free m▶Christine#1197 in the U.S.Follower of Christ; from Latin Christianus (Christian), from Greek Christos (the anointed one, ▶Sharon#1232 in the U.S.The plain; the Plain of Sharon — a fertile coastal plain in ancient Israel, from Hebrew sharon ▶Joan#1238 in the U.S.God is gracious; English feminine form of John, from Hebrew Yohanan (Yahweh is gracious) via La▶Karen#1263 in the U.S.Pure; beloved; Danish/Scandinavian form of Katherine, from Greek Aikaterine (pure)▶Randi#3103 in the U.S.Shield wolf or admirable; a Scandinavian feminine name from Old Norse Ragnfridr meaning beautif▶Connie#3121 in the U.S.Steadfast or constant; a diminutive of Constance or Cornelia, from Latin constans meaning stead▶Marolyn#5310 in the U.S.Marolyn is a spelling variant of Marilyn, the early-twentieth-century blend of Mary and the fas▶Bev#5587 in the U.S.Bev is the everyday short form of Beverly, an English surname and place name from Old English b▶Dodi#6021 in the U.S.Dodi is a pet form of Dorothy, through the diminutive Dodie, and so carries Dorothy's Greek mea▶Gaye#6816 in the U.S.Gaye is a decorative spelling of Gay, the vintage girl's name taken straight from the English w▶Bobette#6949 in the U.S.Bobette pairs the nickname Bob or Bobbie with the French diminutive ending -ette to make a dist▶Melodye#7879 in the U.S.Melodye is a stylized spelling of Melody, from Greek meloidia, 'singing of songs' or 'melody' (▶Deb#8558 in the U.S.Deb is the ultra-short form of Deborah, cut to a single syllable. Deborah is Hebrew Devorah, 'b▶Denene#8569 in the U.S.Denene is a coined American name that joins the popular De- opening to the -ene ending of names▶Deborrah#8624 in the U.S.Deborrah is a double-r respelling of Deborah, from Hebrew Devorah, 'bee.' In the Bible Deborah ▶Tammye#8979 in the U.S.Tammye is a decorative spelling of Tammy, itself a short form of Tamara or Thomasina. Tamara co▶Buffie#9442 in the U.S.Buffie is a spelling of Buffy, a nursery pet form of Elizabeth (from Hebrew Elisheva, 'God is m▶Marjean#9864 in the U.S.Marjean is a compound name splicing Marjorie and Jean, a very common early-twentieth-century wa▶Jacalyn#9873 in the U.S.Jacalyn is a phonetic respelling of Jacqueline, the French feminine of Jacques (James/Jacob), f▶Jannelle#9886 in the U.S.A spelling of Janelle, itself a twentieth-century American elaboration of Jane with the French-▶Michaelene#10199 in the U.S.Michaelene is a feminine form of Michael, the Hebrew Mikha'el, a rhetorical question meaning 'w▶Jaquita#10238 in the U.S.Jaquita is a mid-century coinage, joining the Ja- of names like Jacqueline/Jacquetta to the Spa▶Delorise#10585 in the U.S.Delorise is an ornamented American spelling of Dolores, a Spanish devotional name from the titl▶Dalene#10639 in the U.S.Dalene is a twentieth-century American girls' name, read most naturally as a trimmed Darlene — ▶Sherril#10702 in the U.S.Sherril is a variant of Cheryl or Sheryl, a name that emerged in the early twentieth century, g▶Margene#10742 in the U.S.Margene knits together Margaret, or its short form Marge, with the -gene sound of Jean. Margare▶Denette#10788 in the U.S.Denette joins the name Denise (or its short form Dene) to the French diminutive -ette. Denise i▶Jeree#11061 in the U.S.Jeree is a phonetic, coined form of Jeri/Gerry — the feminine short forms of Geraldine, from Ge▶Tonie#11083 in the U.S.Tonie is a spelling of Toni, the pet form of Antonia (and of Antoinette), from the old Roman fa▶Leshia#11165 in the U.S.Leshia is a coined short girls' name that echoes the endings of Alicia and Leticia and the -esh▶Charise#11173 in the U.S.Charise is a spelling of Charisse/Cherise, usually connected to French cerise/cherise, 'cherry,▶Sheryle#11221 in the U.S.Sheryle is a spelling variant of Cheryl, a name that rose in the mid-20th century, usually expl▶Lynnda#11396 in the U.S.Lynnda is a decorative respelling of Linda, doubling the n and adding a y to give the hugely po▶Charlayne#11604 in the U.S.Charlayne is an -ayne elaboration of Charlene, a feminine form of Charles. Charles descends fro▶Anglea#11923 in the U.S.Anglea is a letter-swapped spelling of Angela, from Greek angelos, 'messenger, angel.' The 'gl'▶Debby#12058 in the U.S.Debby is a friendly spelling of the short form of Deborah, from Hebrew devorah, 'bee.' In the B▶Leasa#12226 in the U.S.Leasa is a phonetic respelling of Lisa, the short form of Elizabeth. Elizabeth comes from the H▶Donnamarie#12419 in the U.S.Donnamarie is a run-together double name, pairing Donna — Italian for lady — with Marie, the Fr▶Marchelle#12466 in the U.S.Marchelle reads as a blend of Marcella and Michelle. Marcella is the feminine of the Roman Marc▶Denean#12493 in the U.S.Denean is a coined variant in the Denine and Denise sound family. Denise is the French feminine▶Glennis#12631 in the U.S.Glennis is a variant of the Welsh Glenys, from glan, 'pure, clean, holy.' The doubled n also ma▶Londa#12687 in the U.S.Londa is a compact mid-century girls' name, most naturally a short form clipped from Yolonda or▶Cathie#12728 in the U.S.Cathie is an affectionate spelling of Cathy, the short form of Catherine. Catherine comes from ▶Lenda#12768 in the U.S.Lenda is an early-to-mid-century American girls' name best read as a variant of Linda, from Spa▶Kathie#12794 in the U.S.Kathie is an affectionate spelling of the pet form of Katherine, traditionally derived from Gre▶Jerilyn#12809 in the U.S.A twentieth-century American blend joining Jeri - a short form of Geraldine, from Germanic elem▶Sharyn#12901 in the U.S.Sharyn is a 1940s-styled respelling of Sharon, the biblical Plain of Sharon, a fertile coastal ▶Sherilyn#13227 in the U.S.Sherilyn blends Cheryl — itself likely from French cherie, 'darling; beloved,' or a form of Cha▶Shelia#13258 in the U.S.Shelia is the widespread American respelling of Sheila, the anglicized form of Irish Sile, itse▶Randee#13272 in the U.S.Randee is a feminine spelling of Randy, most often a short form of Miranda, from the Latin mira▶Cathi#13296 in the U.S.Cathi is a playful -i respelling of Cathy, the everyday short form of Catherine. The parent nam▶Vernetta#13337 in the U.S.Vernetta elaborates Verna (or the masculine Vernon) with the fashionable -etta ending. Verna co▶Trudie#13359 in the U.S.Trudie is an affectionate short form of Gertrude, the Germanic name from ger, 'spear,' and thru▶Trinette#13514 in the U.S.Trinette is a mid-century American coinage that dresses a Trin- root (as in Trina or Katrina, u▶Tinamarie#13591 in the U.S.Tinamarie is the double name Tina Marie written as one word. Tina is a pet form of Christina ('▶Dawnette#13686 in the U.S.Dawnette joins the English word-name Dawn — meaning 'daybreak' or 'first light' — to the French▶Dwan#13780 in the U.S.Dwan is a short modern name of uncertain origin, plausibly a respelling of Dawn (Old English fo▶Cindie#13909 in the U.S.Cindie is a stylized spelling of Cindy, the short form of Cynthia, a Greek epithet of the moon-▶Gayle#14005 in the U.S.A spelling of Gail, itself a short form of Abigail, from Hebrew Avigayil — 'my father rejoices'▶Geralyn#14010 in the U.S.A twentieth-century American blend: Gerald or Geraldine (Germanic ger 'spear' plus wald 'rule')▶Debbi#14037 in the U.S.Debbi is a clipped, stylized spelling of Debbie, the pet form of Deborah. Deborah is Hebrew Dev▶Donetta#14092 in the U.S.Donetta is an elaboration of Donna with the affectionate -etta ending. Donna is the Italian wor▶Shirleyann#14136 in the U.S.Shirleyann fuses the double name Shirley Ann into one word. Shirley is an English place-name an▶Jerilynn#14192 in the U.S.Jerilynn joins Jeri — a pet form of Geraldine, from Germanic elements meaning 'spear' and 'rule▶Georganne#14197 in the U.S.Georganne is a compound name joining George — Greek georgos, 'earthworker, farmer' — with Anne,▶Lonna#14598 in the U.S.Lonna is a mid-century American feminine name, understood either as a feminine of Lonnie and Al▶Arnetta#14619 in the U.S.Arnetta is a feminine name built by adding the -etta ending to Arnett or Arnold, Germanic names▶Bettylou#14796 in the U.S.Bettylou is a compound name joining Betty, a pet form of Elizabeth (Hebrew, 'God is my oath' or▶Randie#14866 in the U.S.Randie is a mid-century respelling of Randy used for girls, where Randy is itself a pet form of▶Kym#14890 in the U.S.Kym is a stylized respelling of Kim, the short form of Kimberly, an Old English place name mean▶Shirleen#14922 in the U.S.Shirleen extends Shirley with the fashionable -een ending, keeping Shirley's meaning: from Old ▶Stephine#15049 in the U.S.Stephine is a phonetic respelling of Stephanie, the feminine of Stephen, from Greek stephanos m▶Pam#15216 in the U.S.Pam is the everyday short form of Pamela, a name invented by Sir Philip Sidney for his 1590s Ar▶Amiee#15386 in the U.S.Amiee is a transposed spelling of Aimee — French for 'beloved,' from aimer, 'to love' — which i▶Alane#15396 in the U.S.Alane is a feminine form of Alan, a Breton and Celtic name variously read as 'rock' or 'handsom▶Terre#15405 in the U.S.Terre is a spelling variant of Terry and Teri, short forms of Teresa (or Theresa). Teresa's ori▶Deeanna#15701 in the U.S.Deeanna is a spelled-out form of Deanna, which developed from Diana, the name of the Roman godd▶Carletta#15754 in the U.S.Carletta is a feminine diminutive built on Charles or Carl, from Germanic Karl, 'free man,' fin▶Cyndi#15758 in the U.S.Cyndi is a stylized spelling of Cindy, the short form of Cynthia. Cynthia is from the Greek Kyn▶Cherylann#15845 in the U.S.Cherylann joins Cheryl — a mid-century name blending the French cherie, 'dear', with the sound ▶Dorie#15941 in the U.S.Dorie is an affectionate short form of Dora, Doris or Dorothy — all rooted in the Greek doron, ▶Renay#16018 in the U.S.Renay is a phonetic spelling of Renee, the French feminine of Rene, from Latin renatus, 'reborn▶Jeanene#16077 in the U.S.Jeanene is a mid-century elaboration of Jean and Jeanine, French feminines of John, from Hebrew▶Johnetta#16123 in the U.S.Johnetta feminizes John — the Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious' — with the Italianate diminuti▶Dwana#16172 in the U.S.Dwana is a mid-century American coinage, most naturally read as a feminine counterpart to Dwayn▶Jenee#16228 in the U.S.Jenee is a mid-century American respelling that recasts the French Renee ('reborn', from Latin ▶Jamee#16235 in the U.S.Jamee is a feminine respelling of Jamie, the pet form of James, from Hebrew Ya'aqov (Jacob), tr▶Jenell#16294 in the U.S.Jenell is a spelling variant of Janelle, a twentieth-century elaboration of Jane (from Hebrew Y▶Johna#16305 in the U.S.Johna is a feminine form of John, from Hebrew Yochanan, 'God is gracious.' It sits with Johnna ▶Jolyn#16308 in the U.S.A twentieth-century American blend joining Jo - the short form of Josephine and Joanna - to the▶Tammi#16343 in the U.S.Tammi is a stylized spelling of Tammy, itself a short form of Tamara, from Hebrew tamar, 'date ▶Karleen#16386 in the U.S.Karleen is a K-spelled elaboration of Carleen and Carla, feminine forms of Charles, from the Ge▶Lorretta#16516 in the U.S.Lorretta is a double-r variant of Loretta. Loretta comes from the Italian sanctuary of Loreto, ▶Francene#16589 in the U.S.Francene is a phonetic spelling of Francine, the French diminutive of Frances, from Latin Franc▶Kathi#16614 in the U.S.Kathi is a streamlined spelling of Kathy, the short form of Katherine, from Greek katharos, 'pu▶Lynell#16673 in the U.S.Lynell is a twentieth-century American elaboration of Lynn, from the Welsh llyn, 'lake' or 'poo▶Kimberle#16706 in the U.S.Kimberle is a spelling variant of Kimberly, an English place-name that means the meadow or wood▶Maralyn#16711 in the U.S.Maralyn is a spelling variant of Marilyn, the early-20th-century blend of Mary with the fashion▶Wendie#16884 in the U.S.Wendie is a spelling of Wendy, a name popularized (and effectively coined as a first name) by J▶Caroll#16976 in the U.S.Caroll is a spelling variant of Carol, which began as a short form of Caroline — the feminine o▶Raeanne#17063 in the U.S.Raeanne joins Rae — a short form of Rachel, Hebrew for 'ewe' — with Anne, from Hannah, Hebrew f▶Coreen#17067 in the U.S.Coreen is an -een elaboration of Cora or a variant of Corinne, both from the Greek kore, 'maide▶Robbin#17106 in the U.S.Robbin is a doubled-consonant spelling of Robin, which is both the cheerful songbird and a medi▶Marlane#17162 in the U.S.Marlane is a variant of Marlene, a German contraction of Maria Magdalena — Mary Magdalene. Mari▶Laverne#17225 in the U.S.A French name, usually explained from la verne, 'the alder' or 'alder grove' — a place name tur▶Dorrie#17227 in the U.S.Dorrie is an affectionate short form of Dora, Doris or Dorothy. Dora and Dorothy come from Gree▶Devona#17244 in the U.S.Devona is a feminine elaboration of Devon, the English county whose name comes from the ancient▶Diann#17254 in the U.S.Diann is a trimmed spelling of Diane, the French form of Diana, the Roman goddess of the moon a▶Sharol#17259 in the U.S.Sharol reads as a blend of Sharon and Carol. Sharon is a Hebrew place name, the fertile 'Plain ▶Jere#17276 in the U.S.As a girl's name Jere is a clipped form, most often of Geraldine, and a spelling-cousin of Jeri▶Suzan#17341 in the U.S.Suzan is a stylized spelling of Susan, from Hebrew shoshannah, 'lily' (later 'rose'), by way of▶Tanna#17352 in the U.S.Tanna is a mid-century American name usually read as a variant of Tana or a short form of Tanya▶Jacqulyn#17529 in the U.S.Jacqulyn is a sounded-out spelling of Jacqueline, the French feminine of Jacques — the French f▶Chanta#17673 in the U.S.Chanta is a short coined form in the Chantal/Chante family. Chantal comes from a saint's surnam▶Deedra#17686 in the U.S.Deedra is a phonetic American spelling of Deidra, itself a form of the Irish Deirdre, the tragi▶Karry#17840 in the U.S.Karry is a mid-century K-spelling of Carrie or Kerry. Carrie is the classic pet form of Carolin▶Denese#17851 in the U.S.Denese is a variant spelling of Denise, the French feminine of Denis, which comes from Dionysiu▶Cyndy#17945 in the U.S.Cyndy is a stylized spelling of Cindy, the short form of Cynthia, a Greek epithet of the moon-g▶Bethanne#17952 in the U.S.Bethanne joins Beth, a short form of Elizabeth ('my God is an oath'), with Anne, from the Hebre▶Marijo#18181 in the U.S.Marijo is a compound of Mary and Jo, written as one word — a common mid-century way to give a f▶Merilee#18345 in the U.S.Merilee is a variant of Marilee, usually read as a compound of Mary and Lee, and also playing o▶Terrilyn#19359 in the U.S.Terrilyn is a compound name splicing Terri — a pet form of Teresa, from Greek roots often read ▶Tama#19755 in the U.S.Tama is most plausibly a short form of Tamara, from Hebrew tamar, 'date palm,' a biblical symbo▶Rochell#19851 in the U.S.Rochell is a respelling of Rochelle, a French name from 'roche,' rock, with a diminutive ending▶Sonjia#20169 in the U.S.Sonjia is an American respelling of Sonja or Sonia, the Russian and Scandinavian diminutive of ▶
Mid-century Boy Names
Brian#339 in the U.S.From the Old Celtic 'bri' or 'brigh', meaning high, noble, or strong. Made legendary by the Iri▶Jeffrey#552 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Geoffrey, from Old French Geoffroi, itself from Old German composed of gawi▶Danny#628 in the U.S.Diminutive of Daniel, from the Hebrew Daniyyel (דָּנִיֵּאל), meaning 'God is my judge.' Daniel ▶Dennis#707 in the U.S.From the Medieval Latin Dionysius, derived from the Greek Dionysios, meaning 'follower of Diony▶Dustin#729 in the U.S.From the Old Norse name Thurston or the Old English surname Dustin, possibly from the Norse Tho▶Jerry#907 in the U.S.Short form of Jeremy (Hebrew Yirmeyahu: God will raise up; God will exalt) or Jerome (Greek Hie▶Ricky#949 in the U.S.Diminutive of Richard, from Old High German Ricohard, composed of ric meaning ruler, power, or ▶Darren#953 in the U.S.Great; or possibly from the Irish Gaelic Dara (oak) with the -en suffix; or an anglicization of▶Melvin#959 in the U.S.Likely derived from an old Celtic or Gaelic personal name, possibly from elements meaning counc▶Curtis#985 in the U.S.From Old French curteis meaning courteous, polite, or well-bred, derived from curt meaning cour▶Randy#1019 in the U.S.Shield wolf; or strong protector; short form of Randolph or Randall, from Germanic Raginald or ▶Howard#1056 in the U.S.High guardian or sheep herder; from Old Norse Hávarðr (hay guardian, yard guardian) or Old Germ▶Larry#1068 in the U.S.Laurel; victory; English pet form of Lawrence or Laurence, from Latin Laurentius (from Laurentu▶Rodney#1085 in the U.S.Hroda's island; or island of reeds; from Old English Hroda + eg (island), a Somerset place name▶Bobby#1123 in the U.S.Bright fame; famous; English pet form of Robert, from Germanic Hrodebert (hrod: fame + beraht: ▶Gary#1130 in the U.S.Spear ruler; from Germanic Garhard (gar: spear + hard: brave, hardy) or a short form of names c▶Gerald#1167 in the U.S.Spear ruler; from Germanic Gerwald (ger: spear + wald: ruler, to wield power)▶Terry#1186 in the U.S.Power of the tribe; English form of the Germanic name Theodoric or a pet form of Terence, from ▶Barry#1415 in the U.S.Fair-haired, white-headed▶Darrell#1465 in the U.S.From Airelle, Normandy; darling▶Ezzard#8096 in the U.S.Ezzard is a rare American given name whose etymology is uncertain — likely from an English surn▶Anthoney#8974 in the U.S.Anthoney is a phonetic respelling of Anthony, the English form of the Roman clan name Antonius.▶Ric#9518 in the U.S.Ric is a trimmed spelling of Rick, the everyday short form of Richard (and its Spanish twin Ric▶Darry#9869 in the U.S.Darry is a short form of Darrell or Darryl, surnames from the Norman d'Airelle, 'from Airelle,'▶Darold#9948 in the U.S.Darold is a twentieth-century American coinage that grafts a 'Dar-' onset onto Harold or Gerald▶Dennie#9966 in the U.S.Dennie is the pet form of Dennis, itself from the Greek Dionysios, 'follower of Dionysus,' the ▶Kenney#10108 in the U.S.Kenney doubles as a spelling of Kenny — the short form of Kenneth, from Gaelic Coinneach, 'hand▶Jarret#10157 in the U.S.Jarret is a single-t variant of Jarrett, itself a form of the surname Garrett, which descends f▶Kieth#10277 in the U.S.Kieth is a well-worn variant of Keith, produced by swapping the -ei- to -ie-. Keith began as a ▶Wayman#10699 in the U.S.Wayman comes from an English occupational surname meaning 'wain-man' — a wagon-driver or carter▶Bartley#10945 in the U.S.Bartley is a surname-turned-first-name with two roots: it can derive from Bartholomew, the Aram▶Darryle#11033 in the U.S.Darryle is a fuller spelling of Darryl or Darrell, an English surname turned first name from th▶Duwayne#11132 in the U.S.Duwayne is a phonetic respelling of Dwayne or Duane, which come from the Irish surname Ó Dubhái▶Garey#11187 in the U.S.Garey is a spelling variant of Gary, a name that began as an English surname and is usually tra▶Curley#11223 in the U.S.Curley began as a descriptive nickname for a person with curly hair, and also as an anglicized ▶Garold#11954 in the U.S.Garold is an American variant of Gerald, from Germanic ger, 'spear,' and wald, 'rule' — 'spear ▶Ardell#12380 in the U.S.Ardell is a unisex name, here borne by a boy, from the same family as the feminine Ardella. Its▶Dwyane#12559 in the U.S.Dwyane is a respelling of Dwayne (or Duane), from the Irish surname O Dubhain, based on 'dubh,'▶Pat#13520 in the U.S.Pat is the clipped everyday form of Patrick, from Latin patricius, 'a nobleman, a patrician.' L▶Robbin#13912 in the U.S.Robbin is a doubled-b spelling of Robin, historically a medieval pet form of Robert, from Germa▶Rahn#13922 in the U.S.Rahn is most often a phonetic respelling of Ron, the short form of Ronald, from Old Norse for '▶
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Frequently Asked
What are Mid Century baby names?
Mid Century baby names are the American first names most common from the 1940s through the early 1960s — sturdy, friendly picks like Linda, Gerald and Barbara. They’re now a byword for warm, classic nostalgia.
What are popular Mid Century girl names?
Susan, Nancy, Deborah, Carolyn and Kathleen were everyday staples of the era, alongside Southern-tinged choices like Jolene.
What are classic Mid Century boy names?
Brian, Jeffrey, Gary, Larry and Dennis were among the most common boy names of the period — solid, dependable and easy to say.
Are Mid Century names coming back in style?
Yes — names like Dustin, Wendy and Ricky are seeing renewed interest as parents look for familiar, nostalgic options that still feel a little different from today’s trends.
How many mid century baby names are on More4Kids?
More4Kids lists 192 mid century baby names, each with a sourced meaning, U.S. popularity, and an audio pronunciation.