This list combines 2,646 spelling variations into 1,000 grouped names based on shared pronunciations. The most popular name in 1917 is Mary, given to 64,576 babies in total. Learn more about how this works.

Catherine has the most spelling variations with 21 different spellings, while Emmalyn has the highest confusion index at 80.1%, indicating the greatest diversity in how parents choose to spell it.

When combining spelling variations, Veda showed the biggest improvement, moving up 233 positions from 661 to 428, while Jack had the largest drop, falling 8 positions from 55 to 63.

Looking at trends, Theda shows the strongest upward momentum (births in 1915–1917 are 1676.26% higher compared to 1908–1917), while Maude shows the steepest decline (21.48% lower). Compared to 1916, Bette had the largest rank improvement, moving up 93 positions to rank #500, while Dorsey fell 73 positions to rank #693.