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Popular Baby Names from the 1950s

The most popular baby names of the 1950s, ranked by number of births recorded by the Social Security Administration.

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1880s

Girl Names of the 1950s

  1. 1.
    Mary

    Hebrew · Beloved

    625,606 births
  2. 2.
    Linda

    Spanish / Latin · Beautiful and lovely, a simple grace and charm

    564,364 births
  3. 3.
    Patricia

    Latin · Noble and of patrician birth, dignified and proud

    459,681 births
  4. 4.
    Susan

    Hebrew · Graceful lily, blooming with beauty and purity

    437,774 births
  5. 5.
    Deborah

    Hebrew · A swift and busy bee, strength and purpose

    430,537 births
  6. 6.
    Barbara

    Greek · Uncommon and distinctive, like a stranger or traveler from afar

    345,722 births
  7. 7.
    Debra

    Hebrew · Graceful bee, industrious and purposeful

    341,348 births
  8. 8.
    Karen

    Greek · Pure-hearted and luminously sincere

    332,531 births
  9. 9.
    Nancy

    Hebrew · Grace and elegance with a timeless charm

    286,812 births
  10. 10.
    Donna

    Italian / Latin · Noble woman, dignity and quiet grace

    270,338 births
  11. 11.
    Cynthia

    Greek · Goddess of the moon, radiant and divine

    263,432 births
  12. 12.
    Sandra

    Greek · Defender of humanity, strong and protective spirit

    251,591 births
  13. 13.
    Pamela

    Greek · Entirely sweetness and honey, gentle nurturer

    237,398 births
  14. 14.
    Sharon

    Hebrew · A fertile plain, abundance and graceful presence

    232,807 births
  15. 15.
    Kathleen

    Irish / Greek · Pure and clear, with strength of spirit

    224,342 births
  16. 16.
    Carol

    Latin · Joy and song in feminine form, cheerful spirit

    222,656 births
  17. 17.
    Diane

    Latin · Divine light and protector, goddess of the hunt

    210,624 births
  18. 18.
    Brenda

    Old Norse · Fiery sword, bold and burning spirit

    209,241 births
  19. 19.
    Cheryl

    French · Beloved and cherished, dear one

    171,387 births
  20. 20.
    Janet

    Hebrew · God's gracious gift of grace and mercy

    167,520 births
  21. 21.
    Elizabeth

    Hebrew · My God is a promise

    165,656 births
  22. 22.
    Kathy

    Greek · Pure-hearted, noble and innocent spirit

    157,930 births
  23. 23.
    Margaret

    Greek · Pearl of great price, luminous and precious

    149,582 births
  24. 24.
    Janice

    Latin · God's gracious gift of passage and new beginnings

    133,620 births
  25. 25.
    Carolyn

    Latin · Joyful strength of a free and noble woman

    124,067 births
  26. 26.
    Denise

    Latin / French · Of Dionysus, spirited and joyfully alive

    123,783 births
  27. 27.
    Judy

    Hebrew · Praised woman of grace and strength

    118,060 births
  28. 28.
    Rebecca

    Hebrew · Captivating, or joined together

    115,690 births
  29. 29.
    Joyce

    Latin · Joyful heart, bringer of happiness and light

    114,984 births
  30. 30.
    Teresa

    Greek · Summer harvest, warmth and abundance

    114,283 births
  31. 31.
    Christine

    Latin / Greek · Follower of Christ; devoted and graceful

    113,340 births
  32. 32.
    Catherine

    Greek · Pure

    108,839 births
  33. 33.
    Shirley

    English · Bright meadow of joy and warmth

    108,807 births
  34. 34.
    Judith

    Hebrew · A woman of praise and strength

    108,758 births
  35. 35.
    Betty

    Hebrew · Devoted to God with joyful strength

    103,204 births
  36. 36.
    Beverly

    Old English · From the beaver stream, naturally resourceful and flowing

    97,790 births
  37. 37.
    Lisa

    Hebrew · God's sacred oath and devotion

    95,824 births
  38. 38.
    Laura

    Latin · Crowned with laurel, honored and evergreen

    95,526 births
  39. 39.
    Theresa

    Greek · A reaper of summer's bounty and warmth

    89,608 births
  40. 40.
    Connie

    Latin · Steadfast and determined, a constant presence

    88,799 births
  41. 41.
    Ann

    Hebrew · Grace and favor, gracious gift

    87,047 births
  42. 42.
    Gloria

    Latin · Glory, radiance, and noble distinction

    86,705 births
  43. 43.
    Julie

    Latin · Youthful

    86,689 births
  44. 44.
    Gail

    Hebrew · Father's joy, radiant delight

    85,618 births
  45. 45.
    Joan

    Hebrew · God's gracious gift, beloved and blessed

    85,179 births
  46. 46.
    Paula

    Latin · Small and mighty, strength in quiet dignity

    84,869 births
  47. 47.
    Peggy

    English · Pearl of pure beauty and strength

    84,293 births
  48. 48.
    Cindy

    Greek · Light and luminous beauty, shining brightly

    83,979 births
  49. 49.
    Martha

    Aramaic · The lady

    83,190 births
  50. 50.
    Bonnie

    Scottish · Beautiful

    83,013 births
  51. 51.
    Jane

    Hebrew · God is gracious

    82,919 births
  52. 52.
    Cathy

    Greek (via English nickname tradition) · Pure of heart and radiant with grace

    82,719 births
  53. 53.
    Robin

    English · Bright fame, like a cheerful songbird

    82,423 births
  54. 54.
    Debbie

    Hebrew · Gentle grace, beloved as a bee

    82,097 births
  55. 55.
    Diana

    Latin · Divine huntress; light, illumination, and independence

    80,234 births
  56. 56.
    Marilyn

    Hebrew / Old English · Beloved

    80,161 births
  57. 57.
    Kathryn

    Greek · Pure

    77,803 births
  58. 58.
    Dorothy

    Greek · Gift of God, divine blessing bestowed with love

    74,475 births
  59. 59.
    Wanda

    Germanic, Polish · Wanderer with grace and spirited independence

    72,448 births
  60. 60.
    Jean

    Hebrew · God's gracious gift, beloved and cherished

    72,263 births
  61. 61.
    Vicki

    Latin · Victorious spirit, triumphant and strong

    71,980 births
  62. 62.
    Sheila

    Irish Gaelic · Graceful and luminous, blind to all but beauty

    70,174 births
  63. 63.
    Virginia

    Latin · Maiden

    69,783 births
  64. 64.
    Sherry

    Old French / English · Beloved one, cherished and warm

    68,322 births
  65. 65.
    Katherine

    Greek · Pure

    66,855 births
  66. 66.
    Rose

    Latin · The beloved flower, symbol of love and beauty

    66,688 births
  67. 67.
    Lynn

    Old English / Welsh · Soft beauty of a serene lake or pool

    66,049 births
  68. 68.
    Jo

    Hebrew · God's gracious gift, a name of joyful strength

    63,939 births
  69. 69.
    Ruth

    Hebrew · Friend

    62,538 births
  70. 70.
    Maria

    Hebrew / Latin · Beloved

    62,458 births
  71. 71.
    Darlene

    English · Beloved and darling—tenderness personified

    61,886 births
  72. 72.
    Jacqueline

    French · Supplanter, or may God protect

    60,459 births
  73. 73.
    Rita

    Latin · Pearl of great beauty and luminous grace

    60,265 births
  74. 74.
    Rhonda

    Welsh · Fair and graceful, mighty spear-wielder

    59,816 births
  75. 75.
    Phyllis

    Greek · Green leaf and flourishing life, nature's gift

    57,764 births
  76. 76.
    Helen

    Greek · Bright light

    57,580 births
  77. 77.
    Vickie

    Latin · Victorious spirit and triumph

    56,857 births
  78. 78.
    Kim

    Old English / Korean · Royal fortress meadow

    56,080 births
  79. 79.
    Lori

    Latin · Crowned with laurel, triumph and enduring honor

    56,070 births
  80. 80.
    Ellen

    Greek · Shining bright one, radiant and luminous soul

    55,392 births
  81. 81.
    Elaine

    Greek · Bright light

    54,232 births
  82. 82.
    Joanne

    Hebrew · God is gracious, merciful blessing upon a daughter

    53,568 births
  83. 83.
    Anne

    Hebrew · Graceful favor and tender compassion

    52,404 births
  84. 84.
    Valerie

    Latin · Strong, valiant, and full of vigor

    52,230 births
  85. 85.
    Alice

    Germanic · Noble

    52,074 births
  86. 86.
    Frances

    Latin · Free one

    51,200 births
  87. 87.
    Suzanne

    Hebrew · Graceful as a lily, white flower of purity

    50,330 births
  88. 88.
    Marie

    Hebrew / Latin · Beloved

    49,263 births
  89. 89.
    Victoria

    Latin · Victory and triumph, strength through conquest

    49,127 births
  90. 90.
    Kimberly

    Old English · Royal fortress meadow

    48,958 births
  91. 91.
    Anita

    Spanish / Hebrew · Graceful and merciful, grace refined and elegant

    47,588 births
  92. 92.
    Laurie

    Latin · Honored with the laurel crown of victory

    46,964 births
  93. 93.
    Michelle

    Hebrew · Who is like God?

    46,779 births
  94. 94.
    Sally

    Hebrew · Princely and joyful—grace with radiance

    46,706 births
  95. 95.
    Terri

    Latin · Smooth and graceful like polished earth

    46,431 births
  96. 96.
    Marcia

    Latin · Dedicated to Mars, spirited and bold warrior

    43,733 births
  97. 97.
    Jennifer

    Cornish / Welsh · Fair one, a gentle beauty and radiance of spirit

    43,075 births
  98. 98.
    Leslie

    Scottish Gaelic · Holly garden

    43,049 births
  99. 99.
    Doris

    Greek · Gift of the sea, oceanic and serene

    42,898 births
  100. 100.
    Maureen

    Irish / Latin · Star of the sea, beloved and wise woman

    42,813 births

Boy Names of the 1950s

  1. 1.
    James

    Hebrew · Supplanter, or may God protect

    843,768 births
  2. 2.
    Michael

    Hebrew · Who is like God?

    837,471 births
  3. 3.
    Robert

    Germanic (Old German) · Bright fame; shining with renown and honor

    830,395 births
  4. 4.
    John

    Hebrew · God is gracious

    797,922 births
  5. 5.
    David

    Hebrew · Beloved one; cherished with tenderness and grace

    769,963 births
  6. 6.
    William

    Germanic (Old German) · Resolute protector; steadfast guardian with iron will

    591,228 births
  7. 7.
    Richard

    Germanic (Old German) · Powerful ruler; brave heart with courageous strength

    535,461 births
  8. 8.
    Thomas

    Aramaic · Twin, a name of deep connection and spiritual resonance

    454,385 births
  9. 9.
    Mark

    Latin · Devoted to Mars, bearing the strength of a warrior

    382,589 births
  10. 10.
    Charles

    Germanic (Old German) · Free man

    361,177 births
  11. 11.
    Steven

    Greek · Crown-bearer, victor adorned with laurels

    333,666 births
  12. 12.
    Gary

    Old English · Spear warrior, steadfast and noble protector

    329,933 births
  13. 13.
    Joseph

    Hebrew · God will increase; blessed with abundance and growth

    300,012 births
  14. 14.
    Donald

    Scottish Gaelic · Proud ruler of the world with great dominion

    273,574 births
  15. 15.
    Ronald

    Old Norse · Ruler's counselor

    271,139 births
  16. 16.
    Kenneth

    Scottish Gaelic · Handsome, or born of fire

    262,819 births
  17. 17.
    Paul

    Latin · Small, or humble

    253,202 births
  18. 18.
    Larry

    Latin · Crowned with laurel, victorious and honored

    245,698 births
  19. 19.
    Daniel

    Hebrew · God is my judge, a name of faith and divine wisdom

    243,727 births
  20. 20.
    Stephen

    Greek · Crown

    207,276 births
  21. 21.
    Dennis

    Greek · Devoted to Dionysus, festive and joyful spirit

    204,267 births
  22. 22.
    Timothy

    Greek · One who honors God with reverent devotion

    198,324 births
  23. 23.
    Edward

    Old English · Prosperous guardian, protector of wealth and wellbeing

    188,323 births
  24. 24.
    Jeffrey

    Germanic / Hebrew · God's peace

    184,668 births
  25. 25.
    George

    Greek · Farmer of the earth, connected to growth and stewardship

    181,031 births
  26. 26.
    Gregory

    Greek · Watchful protector, vigilant and wise

    178,457 births
  27. 27.
    Kevin

    Irish Gaelic · Gentle and kind-hearted, noble of spirit

    159,010 births
  28. 28.
    Douglas

    Scottish Gaelic · From the dark water; strong and mysterious

    148,205 births
  29. 29.
    Terry

    Latin / Old French · Smooth, polished, and enduring like stone

    140,724 births
  30. 30.
    Anthony

    Latin · Highly praiseworthy, or priceless

    136,647 births
  31. 31.
    Jerry

    Hebrew / English · Spear warrior, blessed by God's grace

    136,567 births
  32. 32.
    Bruce

    Old English / Old French · From the brushwood thicket

    136,457 births
  33. 33.
    Randy

    Old English · Spirited and vigorous, bold enthusiastic energy

    120,537 births
  34. 34.
    Brian

    Irish Gaelic · High and noble

    112,336 births
  35. 35.
    Frank

    Germanic · Free and honest-hearted soul

    112,321 births
  36. 36.
    Scott

    Old English · From Scotland

    111,819 births
  37. 37.
    Roger

    Old Germanic · Renowned spear wielder, famous warrior

    110,158 births
  38. 38.
    Raymond

    Germanic · Wise protector and counsel, strong guardian

    108,928 births
  39. 39.
    Peter

    Greek · Rock and foundation; steadfast and solid

    102,747 births
  40. 40.
    Patrick

    Latin · Nobleman

    96,851 births
  41. 41.
    Keith

    Scottish Gaelic · Woodland

    91,235 births
  42. 42.
    Lawrence

    Latin · Laurel

    91,110 births
  43. 43.
    Wayne

    Old English · Wagon maker

    88,092 births
  44. 44.
    Danny

    Hebrew · God is my judge

    86,640 births
  45. 45.
    Alan

    Irish Gaelic · Handsome, or little rock

    83,976 births
  46. 46.
    Gerald

    Germanic · Mighty spear wielder, strong and commanding

    82,626 births
  47. 47.
    Ricky

    Old Germanic · Brave ruler, powerful and strong

    79,170 births
  48. 48.
    Carl

    Germanic · Free man and strong warrior of the people

    78,752 births
  49. 49.
    Christopher

    Greek · Bearer of Christ, a protector and guide with divine purpose

    78,333 births
  50. 50.
    Dale

    Old English · Valley dweller, quiet strength and peaceful ease

    75,567 births
  51. 51.
    Walter

    Germanic · Powerful leader of the army, strong warrior

    72,197 births
  52. 52.
    Craig

    Scottish Gaelic · One who dwells on the rocky crag, strong and bold

    69,481 births
  53. 53.
    Willie

    Germanic · Resolute protector with unwavering will

    66,460 births
  54. 54.
    Johnny

    Hebrew · God is gracious

    65,786 births
  55. 55.
    Arthur

    Welsh / Latin · Bear

    65,716 births
  56. 56.
    Steve

    Greek · Crowned with honor and victorious strength

    64,212 births
  57. 57.
    Joe

    Hebrew · God will increase and multiply blessings

    62,620 births
  58. 58.
    Randall

    Old English / Germanic · Shield wolf, fierce protector

    62,450 births
  59. 59.
    Russell

    Norman French / Latin · Little red one

    62,406 births
  60. 60.
    Jack

    Hebrew / English · God is gracious

    62,387 births
  61. 61.
    Henry

    Old Germanic · Ruler of the home

    62,230 births
  62. 62.
    Harold

    Old Norse · Powerful warrior with noble and steadfast heart

    62,183 births
  63. 63.
    Roy

    Old French / Latin · A king's noble grace and regal dignity

    61,847 births
  64. 64.
    Andrew

    Greek · Strong and courageous, a true warrior spirit

    60,972 births
  65. 65.
    Philip

    Greek · Lover of horses

    60,853 births
  66. 66.
    Ralph

    Old Norse / Germanic · Wise wolf, swift counsel and protection

    60,440 births
  67. 67.
    Billy

    Germanic / English · A resolute protector with unwavering determination

    59,277 births
  68. 68.
    Glenn

    Irish Gaelic · From the sacred valley, peaceful and serene

    58,714 births
  69. 69.
    Stanley

    Old English · From the stony clearing, steadfast and grounded

    57,164 births
  70. 70.
    Jimmy

    Hebrew · Beloved by God, held with divine grace

    54,892 births
  71. 71.
    Rodney

    Old English · From the famous island, renowned strength

    54,817 births
  72. 72.
    Barry

    Irish Gaelic · Fair-haired spear carrier, noble protector

    54,812 births
  73. 73.
    Samuel

    Hebrew · God has heard

    53,767 births
  74. 74.
    Eric

    Old Norse · Eternal ruler, strength and honorable leadership

    53,295 births
  75. 75.
    Bobby

    English, from Germanic roots · Bright and shining spirit of home

    53,281 births
  76. 76.
    Albert

    Germanic · Noble and bright

    52,829 births
  77. 77.
    Phillip

    Greek · Lover of horses

    52,457 births
  78. 78.
    Ronnie

    Scottish Gaelic · Mighty ruler with strength and power

    51,302 births
  79. 79.
    Martin

    Latin · Warrior devoted to Mars, strong and fierce

    50,994 births
  80. 80.
    Mike

    Hebrew · Who is like God—a question of humility and wonder

    48,345 births
  81. 81.
    Eugene

    Greek · Nobly born, of distinguished and worthy character

    48,281 births
  82. 82.
    Louis

    Germanic · Famous warrior

    47,933 births
  83. 83.
    Howard

    Old English / Old Norse · Noble guardian with a watchful, protective heart

    47,852 births
  84. 84.
    Allen

    Irish Gaelic, Scottish · Handsome, or little rock

    47,322 births
  85. 85.
    Curtis

    Latin / French · Courteous heart of noble bearing

    46,324 births
  86. 86.
    Jeffery

    Hebrew / Old Germanic · God's peace and divine protection

    45,879 births
  87. 87.
    Frederick

    Germanic · Peaceful ruler

    44,288 births
  88. 88.
    Leonard

    Latin / Old Germanic · Brave as a lion, courageous heart

    43,551 births
  89. 89.
    Harry

    Germanic / English · Master of the household, bold ruler

    43,335 births
  90. 90.
    Micheal

    Hebrew · Who is like God, divine strength and justice

    40,908 births
  91. 91.
    Tony

    Latin · Highly praiseworthy, or priceless

    40,782 births
  92. 92.
    Ernest

    Germanic · Serious and determined, genuine strength of spirit

    39,680 births
  93. 93.
    Eddie

    Old English / Germanic · Prosperous guardian, blessed protector of wealth

    38,598 births
  94. 94.
    Fred

    Old German · Peaceful ruler with a gentle, steady strength

    37,445 births
  95. 95.
    Darrell

    Old French · Beloved and cherished one with open heart

    37,257 births
  96. 96.
    Jay

    Old French / Latin · The jay bird, or victory

    36,969 births
  97. 97.
    Melvin

    Old English · Gentle mill worker and friend of gentleness

    36,165 births
  98. 98.
    Lee

    Old English · Of the meadow, peaceful and serene

    35,826 births
  99. 99.
    Matthew

    Hebrew · Gift of God, a blessing bestowed with grace

    35,796 births
  100. 100.
    Vincent

    Latin · Conquering; strength and triumphant determination

    35,351 births

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