This list combines 2,312 spelling variations into 1,001 grouped names based on shared pronunciations. The most popular name in 1961 is Michael, given to 91,349 babies in total. Learn more about how this works.

Darrell has the most spelling variations with 22 different spellings, while Jerrell has the highest confusion index at 85.2%, indicating the greatest diversity in how parents choose to spell it.

When combining spelling variations, Quentin showed the biggest improvement, moving up 184 positions from 508 to 324, while Wayne had the largest drop, falling 9 positions from 61 to 70.

Looking at trends, Darren shows the strongest upward momentum (births in 1959–1961 are 1616.11% higher compared to 1952–1961), while Unknown shows the steepest decline (57.32% lower). Compared to 1960, Brooke had the largest rank improvement, moving up 97 positions to rank #454, while Dell fell 47 positions to rank #482.