In the wake of the roaring 20s, a new generation emerged: the Baby Boomers. Their parents were jazzed up about the future and got creative with their names. Some of these monikers have weathered the test of time; others, not so much. Let’s take a leisurely stroll down memory lane and explore 20 Baby Boomer names that are now as out of style as bell-bottom jeans.
Jan
Approximately 39,000 baby boomer girls were named Jan. It peaked in 1954, but the only Jan that still rings a bell is Jan Brady from the Brady Bunch. And she wasn’t exactly the popular one.
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Bob
Bob was a solid name with a peak in 1930. Over 30,000 baby boomer boys shared this name, including Bob Dylan, who arguably made it cool. But, alas, Bob has since had its day.
Patty
Patty was a hit in the 50s, with around 31,000 girls sharing this name. Patty Duke was a celebrity namesake, but the name has since hit the popularity skids.
Kim
Kim for boys, peaked in 1956. About 20,000 baby boomer boys bore this name, including Kim Fowley, a popular music producer. But the name’s popularity for boys has seriously plummeted, like a poorly thrown frisbee.
Lynn
Lynn was given to about 30,000 boys, peaking in 1942. There’s Lynn Swann, the football great, but these days, Lynn is more likely to be seen on girls.
Deloris
Deloris sounds like a chorus, but the song has long since ended. About 15,000 girls bore this name, peaking in 1933. A famous Deloris is Whoopi Goldberg’s character in “Sister Act,” but the name has since retired from the limelight.
Pat
Roughly 12,000 girls were named Pat, peaking in 1947. The only notable Pat we can think of is Pat Benatar, but the name’s popularity has been ‘hit with its best shot,’ and it’s down for the count.
Delbert
Delbert sounds like it’s from a 1950s sitcom, and rightly so. About 12,000 boys were named Delbert, peaking in 1920—no notable Delberts spring to mind, which might explain its popularity drop-off.
Horace
Horace is a name of ancient origins, but it has since become as rare as a dinosaur. Peaking in 1904 with about 20,000 bearers, there’s Horace Grant, the former NBA player, but it hasn’t been enough to keep the name in the game.
Laverne
Laverne was popular in 1928, with approximately 12,000 girls sharing this name. Laverne Cox, the fantastic actress, hasn’t been enough to resurrect this name from obscurity.
Chuck
Chuck peaked in 1949, with around 11,000 boys sharing this name. The name will forever be linked to Chuck Norris, but even his roundhouse kick couldn’t keep this name on the charts.
Gay
About 20,000 girls were named Gay, reaching its apex in 1937. Given the evolution of language, it’s not surprising this name has gone out of style.
Sondra
Around 25,000 baby boomer girls were named Sondra, peaking in 1947. Actress Sondra Locke was a notable name bearer, but the name has since sunk into the depths of the naming ocean.
Wilbert
Wilbert, which peaked in 1923, was shared by around 40,000 boys. You might remember Wilbert Harrison, the musician, but the name has not struck a chord with recent generations.
Shelia
About 60,000 girls were named Shelia, peaking in 1965. Despite the popularity of singer Shelia E, the name has since lost its rhythm.
Gale
Gale was given to approximately 30,000 girls, with a peak in 1942. Gale Storm, the 1950s actress, was a notable namesake, but this name has blown off the charts.
Earlene
Earlene, a name shared by around 20,000 girls, peaked in 1936. Earlene Bentley, the singer, carried the name, but it has since slid off the popular name highway.
Cleveland
Cleveland was popular in 1885, with about 15,000 boys bearing the name. Cleveland Amory, the writer, was a notable name bearer, but it hasn’t been enough to keep this name in the city of popularity.
D*ck
D*ck peaked in 1934, with roughly 7,000 boys sharing this name. Despite the name being linked to D*ck Van Dyke, its popularity has since collapsed like a deflated balloon.
Ed
Ed was a hit in the late 1800s, with about 10,000 baby boomer boys bearing this name. Ed Sheeran keeps the name in our minds, but it’s not enough to keep the name on the charts.
So there you have it, folks! These 20 Baby Boomer names have ridden the wave of popularity and crashed on the shores of obscurity. But who knows? Fashion is cyclical, and what’s out today may very well be in tomorrow. Will we see a resurgence of Bobs and Pats? Only time will tell! In the meantime, let’s appreciate the nostalgia these names bring and the stories they tell of a bygone era.
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