Browse Established Girl Names
Girl Names That Defined Generations
Established girl names reflect more than a century of changing tastes in America. Names like Gladys, Myrtle, Mabel, Blanche, and Thelma were familiar choices in earlier generations. Later, names such as Linda, Brenda, Sharon, and Deborah became widely popular.
Other favorites, including Jessica, Ashley, Megan, Tiffany, and Madison, reflect more recent naming trends. Names like Olivia, Abigail, and Savannah show how older names can become popular with new generations.
These names have different origins and histories, but they share one thing: each remained a top-100 favorite for decades.
What Makes a Girl Name an Established Favorite?
To qualify for this collection, a girl name must have ranked among the top 100 names for girls in the United States for 30 to 49 consecutive years.
The rankings are based on Social Security Administration birth records dating back to 1880. A name may have completed its qualifying streak long ago or remained popular into more recent years.
Explore our Century-Long Favorites and Long-Time Favorites for girl names with even longer histories of popularity. You can also discover Revived Favorites that returned to the top 100 after years away.