Retro Names from the 1950s

The fifties were a time for enjoying the finer things in life. After World War II, America celebrated as men returned home to their families. They got new jobs, lived in new suburban homes, and bought new things. Men enjoyed fabulous cars while women learned to use new time-saving gadgets, and kids were lavished with toys. The entire country was growing in population as well as in industry. Communism was the new enemy, and we fought it with well-defined gender roles and conservative values.


Names that were at their height in the 1950s have a steadfast but chipper personality. While many aren't exactly popular these days, it's still fun to take a look back at naming trends from this time in American history.

I arrived at this list by researching names that reached a peak during that period, meaning they weren't as popular before or after the decade (eliminating some classic names like Mary, for example, which was even more popular in the 1800s). These names were very fashionable during the 50s and express the period well.

Retro Names from the 1950s

Nifty Names that Fit the Times

Girls Brenda Cheryl Cynthia Deborah or Debra Diane Donna Gail Janet Janice Jo Linda Marsha Nancy Pamela Patricia Peggy Sheila Susan Theresa Vicki

Boys Barry Bruce Dale Dana Danny Darrell Dennis Douglas Gary Gerard Glenn Keith Kent Perry Peter Randall or Randy Richard, Ricky or Rick Steven or Stephen Terry Wayne

Psst! If these names aren't nifty enough for you, I wrote about how I'd make over each one on this list for today. Looking to honor a Cheryl or a Gary? Maybe Chanel or Garrett would do the trick! On these posts I go into detail about how I'd turn these 50s names into of-the-moment names for today's baby. Don't leave before you check it out!

Name Makeovers: Fading Names of the 1950s, Part 1
Name Makeovers: Fading Names of the 1950s, Part 2
Name Makeovers: Fading Names of the 1950s, Part 3