12 Popular Baby Names From the 1960s That Need to Make a Comeback
Naming a baby in the 1960s was seemingly a lot more simple than it is today. Based on the sheer number of little Lisas, Lindas, Johns, and Michaels running around then, parents clearly weren’t concerned about giving their kid a groundbreaking name no one else in their kindergarten class would have.
Today though, some of those same wildly popular names from the 60s are basically rare vintage gems, making them prime for a comeback because modern parents are always on the hunt for something cool, uncommon—or at least out of the top 20. With retro baby names all the rage right now, these charming old-school monikers are ripe for the picking.
Thomas
How cute does the nickname Tommy sound for a modern-day babe? Classic boy name Thomas topped the baby name charts, hanging on to a top 20 status, all the way from 1900 to the mid-70s, when it began falling out of favor, but only slightly so. While it’s still a top 50 boy name and totally recognizable, it’s not nearly as popular as names like Oliver, Liam, or Henry anymore.
Sandra
Sandra has plummeted in popularity since its heyday in the early 1960s, when it was a top ten choice for baby girls—thanks then in part to actress Sandra Dee. The nickname Sandy is so sweet though, and we can guarantee there won’t be five more prancing around the playground.
Jeffrey
Okay, so you probably have an Uncle Jeff, but this classic boy name, which was hugely popular from the 50s through the 70s, would be so cute on a baby—and we already know it remains perfectly professional on an adult. Your kid will appreciate how easy it is to find his name on a keychain too.
Julie
We can absolutely see Julie fitting in with all the Avas and Emmas in preschool. The French name literally means “youthful” (how perfect!) and has such a nice ring to it. It’s familiar without feeling overdone and doesn’t give you that dated vibe, even though it was given to 166,143 girls in the 1960s alone. It’s a good alternative to the now more popular Juliet and Julia too.
George
George is one of those timeless baby names never went out of style. It was hugely popular throughout the first half of the 20th century, as well as the 60s, and now sits at number 142 on the Social Security Baby Name popularity list for 2022. With royal vibes thanks to the young Prince George, we foresee more Georges populating the play yards soon.
Cynthia
There’s a lot to love about Cynthia, which was a top ten fave of parents from the mid-50s through the mid-60s. The unique moniker, now barely in the top 1000 for girls, gives us all the fiery, strong Greek goddess vibes and it also has a natural feel, making it right on trend for a 2024 child. If Cynthia feels too long, you can trade the dated nickname Cindy for the much cooler Thea instead.
Paul
Hello, Paul McCartney! Paul is an ancient name you know well but don’t hear all on that many little ones anymore. It used to be a 20th-century classic given to a whopping 242,515 boys in the 1960s, and it's still short, simple and decidedly cool, if you ask us. Your little one will certainly stand out in a sea of Noahs and Williams.
Kimberly
Names ending in -ly and -ley are having a major moment so why not consider the once-fashionable Kimberly, the number five most-popular girl name of the 60s? Kimber is also an interesting choice that might feel a little bit more contemporary and cool for some parents.
Timothy
Thank you Timothée Chalamet for making this 1960s favorite suddenly seem fresh, modern, and stylish again. We personally adore the nickname Tim or Timmy. If you’re looking for a well-known but less common name that’ll age nicely with your baby boy, our vote’s on the truly timeless Timothy.
Kelly
While Kelly wasn’t a top ten name for girls in the 1960s, it was given to 128,054 girls, landing it the number 30 spot of the decade. It also continued to grow in popularity throughout the 70s and 80s. Historically a male name, we think Kelly would make a cool name for a little surfer boy (Kelly Slater!) born today. And with the surname trend being all the rage for baby boys right now, it’s certainly fitting.
Patrick
Given to 122,719 boys in the 1960s, Patrick is a classic moniker that’s due for a resurgence, at least in our opinion. It gives off the same sophisticated vibes as super popular boy names of today, like Henry and James, without being completely overused.
Kathleen
A chic vintage name chosen by tons of parents in the 1940s through the 60s, Kathleen is a surprisingly fresh choice for a baby girl born today, as long as you can manage to avoid the overdone nickname Katie. However, with so many kids actually going by their full names now, we don't foresee this being a big problem.
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