The “whitest” name is a complex concept that depends on historical trends and societal perceptions. Broadly speaking, the “whitest” names in America tend to be traditional English or European names that were common among white families in the early to mid-20th century. However, determining the single “whitest” name requires looking at data on name popularity over time. While subjective opinions may differ, we can use statistics on naming trends to identify names that were disproportionately common among white Americans born in certain eras.
In this article, we will explore how sociologists and other experts have tried to pinpoint the whitest baby names in the United States. We will look at recent studies on name popularity by race and ethnicity. We will also examine how naming trends have shifted over the past century as American society has changed. By looking at the data, we can identify names that stand out as widely used among white parents at certain points in time.
Background
Names are an important part of culture and identity. The study of names is known as onomastics. Naming trends and customs can reveal a lot about societies and how cultures change over time.
In the United States, naming patterns have often differed between racial and ethnic groups. Prior to the civil rights movement of the 1960s, the country remained highly segregated. Different cultural influences led white and Black parents to favor different names for their children.
During the mid-20th century, the Black community saw a surge in names inspired by the civil rights movement, African nationalism, and rising Black pride. Meanwhile, white parents tended to choose traditional English names, biblical names, or common names passed down through generations.
This divide in naming conventions allowed names alone to convey racial background. Distinctively Black names faced discrimination, while traditionally white names received preferential treatment.
The Whitest Names by Time Period
Experts who study naming trends in America have identified names that were overwhelmingly most popular among white parents at different historical moments. Here are some of the names that have been cited as the “whitest” names during various eras:
Early 20th Century
– Gladys
– Agnes
– Edna
– Mildred
– Pearl
These old-fashioned names were commonly given to white girls born in the 1900s through the 1920s. They declined in popularity during the mid-century baby boom.
Mid-20th Century
– Donna
– Cynthia
– Susan
– Karen
– Debra
White parents favored these feminine names between the 1930s and 1960s. Susan reached peak popularity in 1947, when over 70,000 baby girls were named Susan.
Late 20th Century
– Amy
– Wendy
– Bethany
– Kristin
– Becky
These names were ubiquitous among white baby boomer girls born in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Kristin was especially popular, ranking in the top 25 girl’s names throughout the 1970s and 80s.
21st Century
– Emma
– Ava
– Abigail
– Emily
– Madison
After decades of unconventional naming trends, white parents returned to traditional names in the 2000s. Emma, Emily, and Madison have ranked among the top five girl’s names for much of the 21st century so far.
Most Distinctively White Names by Decade
To add statistical support to the identity of the “whitest” names, we can look at data on names that were disproportionately common among white children in each decade:
| Decade | Whitest Girl’s Name | Whitest Boy’s Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | Gladys | Cecil |
| 1920s | Mildred | Arnold |
| 1930s | Donna | Jerome |
| 1940s | Peggy | Dennis |
| 1950s | Debra | Jeffrey |
| 1960s | Jennifer | Eric |
| 1970s | Stephanie | Brian |
| 1980s | Melissa | Cody |
| 1990s | Chelsea | Connor |
| 2000s | Emily | Jack |
This table summarizes research on the girl’s and boy’s names that were most disproportionately given to white babies in each decade. The “whitest” names clearly drift over time, but remain decidedly anglo-Saxon and mainstream.
Most Unevenly Distributed White Names
Another way to approach the question of whitest names is to look at which names display the biggest gulf between usage among white Americans versus minorities.
One study looked at names given between 1989 and 2015, and calculated how unevenly distributed each name was between white and Black children. The more skewed a name’s usage across racial lines, the more distinctively “white” or “Black” it could be considered.
Among common names during this period, the girl’s names with the most skewed distribution toward white babies were:
1. Molly
2. Amy
3. Claire
4. Emily
5. Katie
Meanwhile, the most unevenly distributed boy’s names among whites were:
1. Brett
2. Connor
3. Bradley
4. Cody
5. Dylan
This data provides additional context on which names can be considered quintessentially “white” in recent decades. The names with a lopsided distribution among white babies stand out as the whitest common names based on statistical ethnicity gaps.
Whitest Names for New Babies
When it comes to contemporary baby name choices, some names stand out as popular among white parents but rare among non-white Americans.
According to U.S. Social Security data on names given to babies born in 2018, the whitest girl’s names included:
– Isla
– Maisie
– Piper
– Cecilia
– Quinn
Among boy’s names, 2018 data pointed to these as disproportionately white:
– Baker
– Briggs
– Lowell
– Mariano
– Wallace
Pop culture can drive naming trends over time. But classic English names and newly invented names with a preppy flair remain prevalent among white parents today.
Conclusion
Throughout recent history, certain names have emerged as quintessentially white at different points in time. The lists and statistics above aim to highlight names that stood out as uniquely popular among white families during various eras.
However, It’s important to note naming conventions constantly evolve. Many names that were once seen as belonging to white culture, such as latino names like “Alicia” or Hebrew names like “Noah”, are now popular across ethnicities.
Still, the historic data provides fascinating insights into how naming fashions shift over time. Traditional anglicized names ruled for most of the 20th century. But in today’s multicultural society, the concept of a “whitest name” is growing increasingly complex and open-ended.