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| Inspiration :: Dawn |
1 syllable names have been present throughout history - pretty, unfussy, usually nickname-proof and with less spelling and pronunciation problems, they are a popular choice for many parents.
Below is a chart showing all the one syllable names in the top 100 for each decade. The names are listed in their order of popularity. For example, you can see how Ann is the top 1 syllable name in 1860 and 1870 but by 1890, it is only the 4th most popular one syllable name for girls.
From 1860 to 1890, the names are those that we would call 'pretty but ordinary' today. Apart from Maud who now bears the weight of stigma, they are still used. Jane and Ann took the No. 1 spot whereas names like Grace were less popular. This has been reversed today - Grace is at No. 1 , Ann and Jane are not even in the top 1000 although they are still seen as plain and ordinary.
From 1914 to 1944, there was an influx of new 1 syllable names. We see a mix of the Victorian favourites with these new, 'modern' names like Jean, Jill, Joy and Joyce, J was definitely the initial letter in vogue. 1954 claims the longest list of 1 syllable names. Lynne, Lynn, Gail, Dawn and Kay entered the top 100 - the names we see as extremely dated today.
After 1964, the number of 1 syllable names starts declining. Claire becomes the new popular name, Ann finally leaves the top 100. By 2004, many of the names are 1 syllable word names like Brooke, Jade and Faith. This is still the pattern we see today. Sky, Hope and Rae (the modern 1 syllable names) sit amongst old favourites from the 1800s like Kate, Grace, Ruth and May. I think that we will see another rise of 1 syllable names as we borrow even more words from other languages and if the nicknames culture continues. Maybe someday, even Maud will arrive back in our Birth Announcements.
Below are the 1 syllable names currently in the UK top 1000.
