Most popular baby names of 1887

The American naming landscape showed remarkable stability in 1887, with the top names maintaining their strong cultural foothold. Mary, Anna, and Elizabeth continued their reign as the top three girls' names, showing no change in rank from 1886. Similarly, the boys' side saw John, William, and James hold steady in their respective positions. This consistency reflects the enduring appeal of these traditional names during the late 19th century.

Among the top 10 girls' names in 1887, there were some subtle but noteworthy shifts. Emma dropped from third to fourth place, while Margaret climbed from sixth to fifth. Minnie, previously ranked fifth, fell to sixth position. Florence held steady at ninth place, while Ida fell from seventh to tenth. Interestingly, Bertha and Clara each moved up one spot to seventh and eighth respectively. The top 10 girls' names continue to showcase a preference for classic, feminine options with a mix of biblical and traditional European influences.

For boys' names in 1887, the top 10 saw some interesting movement despite the stability at the very top. Thomas climbed one spot to ninth place, while Edward dropped from eleventh to tenth. Robert fell from eighth to eleventh, slipping out of the top 10 entirely. The consistent popularity of traditional male names like John, William, and James reflects the strong cultural preference for honoring family lineage and biblical figures. The top 10 is dominated by strong, classic names with Anglo-Saxon and biblical origins.

Looking at broader naming patterns, both boys' and girls' names show a preference for traditional options with religious and royal connections. Girls' names in the top 100 frequently feature feminine endings like "-ie" (Minnie, Carrie, Hattie) and "-a" (Anna, Clara, Ida). Many boys' names are short and strong, with one or two syllables dominating the top ranks. Interestingly, several diminutive forms appear in the top 100 for both genders, such as Willie, Charlie, and Nellie, suggesting a preference for familiar, approachable versions of traditional names. The continuation of these naming patterns indicates a society that values tradition and familiarity during this period.

Top baby names of 1887