Baby Names Inspired By Legendary '60s Models

Naming a baby comes with a certain pressure as new parents go through dozens of ideas and considerations on what to name their little one. For those looking to give their baby a vintage edge by resurfacing popular names from yesteryear, the pioneer supermodels of the 1960s inspired a variety of popular names in their heyday.

The Mod '60s saw the birth of supermodels, as these gorgeous fashion muses highlighted the boldness of the era through their beauty, confidence, and undeniable appeal. For the first time ever, stunning features and statuesque silhouettes that could make even the most basic garments look chic formed the foundation of models becoming global celebrities and household names, the framework for the supermodels of the future. 

The influence of these pioneer supermodels reached far beyond the runway and into everyday life, with many of the era's iconic models inspiring some of the most popular baby names of the day. While there are hair trends from the 1960s you may have forgotten about, other things about the decade remain surprisingly current. A look back at popular baby names of the decade will remind you of some of the top models of the Swinging Sixties and offer some ideas on what to name your new family member. 

The name Jean finds its origin in Hebrew with the translation "God is gracious." It also serves as a Scottish form of Jane, or a female variant derived from John — a fitting connection to British supermodel Jean Shrimpton, who was born in Buckinghamshire, England. Shrimpton is widely considered one of the world's first supermodels. She dominated the 1960s and pushed fashion forward, popularizing the mini skirt, a 1960s-inspired fashion trend that's making a comeback. Shrimpton's fandom also saw a spike in the name Jean during the 1960s, with over 37,000 babies receiving the name. A historic name rich in symbolism, parents can turn to this timeless choice and consider the different cultural variations to offer a unique twist on the classic name. 

With origins from the ancient Greek word "pene" (meaning "thread" or "web") combined with "ops" ("face" or "eye"), the name Penelope (and Penny for short) rose in popularity in the '60s and '70s following Penelope Tree's breakout as a supermodel. As the face of London's fashion scene throughout the 1960s, Tree's striking features and avant-garde style captivated the fashion world and attracted admirers like John Lennon, who once described her as "Hot, hot, hot, smart, smart, smart!" For parents looking to tap into Greek mythology lore, this name works great too. Penelope was the loyal wife of Odysseus in Homer's "The Odyssey."

Peggy is a vintage English name that packs character and quirky appeal, much like the 1960s supermodel and fashion icon Peggy Moffitt. The name originated as a rhyming nickname for Margaret with a Greek translation to "pearl." Often paired with an Ann or Sue during the 1950s, Peggy was already a familiar favorite when Moffitt made her mark on the fashion world with her signature asymmetrical bob and sometimes controversial fashion editorial images. The backlash was packaged with fanfare that saw the already popular name Peggy continue to be favored throughout the 1960s.

With roots in the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "of the ruling class," Pattie is a timeless name that carries tradition and history. Parents drawn to the name might find appeal in its vintage feel and understated charm. In the 1960s, pioneer supermodel Pattie Boyd helped popularize the name. It became more moderately used for the formal name Patricia following her small acting role in The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night." Boyd went on to become an iconic muse, with her first husband, George Harrison, penning "Something" for her, and her second husband, Eric Clapton, birthing the classic love songs "Layla" and "Wonderful Tonight" in her honor. 

Parents might find appeal in the graceful meaning and dual origin behind the name Linda. Translating to "soft" or "tender" in German, from the word "lind," and "pretty" or "beautiful" in Spanish, Linda saw its peak as a popular baby name from 1938 to 1969. As a mainstay of the '60s modeling scene, Linda Morand brought new life to the name. Morand still looked stunning in rare spottings decades after her heyday, but her signature choppy cut and strong resemblance to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis helped define '60s fashion. While it slipped in popularity over the years, the name still exudes grace and femininity and has enough variations – like Lynda or Belinda — for parents looking for a similar sound.

With a powerful meaning, "grace" and "favor," Anne is a timeless moniker with an elegance that has captivated parents for centuries. It saw its peak in the early 20th century and held its reign as a popular baby name well into the 1960s. High fashion supermodel Anne Sainte-Marie exuded much of the grace and elegance that comes with the name during her reign throughout the 1950s and '60s. Her influence extended to baby names, with over 47,000 babies in the US given the name throughout these decades. The best part is that it has tons of variations for parents who want something more unique, like Hannah, Anna, or even Ana.