Timeless Baby Names from the 1950s
Fact checked by De ElizabethFact checked by De ElizabethThe 1950s were the launch pad into the second half of the 20th century. The post-World War II period saw the spark of the Civil Rights movement, the surge into the suburbs, and the birth of rock and roll. The period is also synonymous with the "baby boom," which was characterized by a sharp increase in births nationwide, so parents were naturally looking for baby name inspiration.The top baby names of the 1950s will probably look familiar—you might even spot your own parents’ names on the list! And while most 1950s monikers are still quite common today, some of them haven’t cracked the top 20—or even top 100—in recent years, meaning it's time for the next generation to revive them. Keep reading for timeless baby name ideas from the 1950s, compiled with information from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Although this article separates names by gender, your baby’s assigned sex at birth does not need to dictate the name you choose for them. Names are not inherently gendered or associated with a specific sex, and it's important to select a name that feels right for your little one and your family.
Popular 1950s Names for BoysAccording to SSA data, the most popular boy name in the 1950s was James. Indeed, James was in the top 10 names for boys every year from 1900 to 1992! While it dipped in the 1990s and 2000s, it reentered at number nine in 2014 and has been climbing up since. Other names that round out the top 10 include Michael, Robert, John, David, William, Richard, Thomas, Mark, and Charles. Read more about these 1950s boy's names below.JamesOrigin: Hebrew, EnglishMeaning: SupplanterAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jimmy, Jamie, JaymesFun Fact: Six presidents have been named James, making it the most common first name for presidents. MichaelOrigin: HebrewMeaning: Who is like God?Alternative Spellings & Variations: Mike, MikeyFun Fact: Michael was the number one name for boys from 1954 to 1998, except for 1960 when it dropped down to number two. RobertOrigin: German, EnglishMeaning: Bright fameAlternative Spellings & Variations: Rob, Robbie, Robby, Bob, BobbyJohnOrigin: HebrewMeaning: God is gracious Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jon, JackFun Fact: This short baby name actually peaked in popularity before the 1950s—it was the top boy name from 1900 to 1923!DavidOrigin: HebrewMeaning: BelovedAlternative Spellings & Variations: DaveWilliamOrigin: GermanMeaning: Resolute protectionAlternative Spellings & Variations: Will, Wills, Bill, BillyFun Fact: Since 1900, William has never fallen below the top 20 names for baby boys.RichardOrigin: GermanMeaning: Dominant rulerAlternative Spellings & Variations: RickyThomasOrigin: AramaicMeaning: TwinAlternative Spellings & Variations: Tomas, Tom, TommyMarkOrigin: LatinMeaning: WarlikeAlternative Spellings & Variations: MarcCharlesOrigin: German, FrenchMeaning: Free manAlternative Spellings & Variations: Charlie, Charley, ChuckFun Fact: Charles is a common name for nobility, and nowadays it's sometimes considered a gender-neutral baby name.More '50s Names for BoysSteven: Once popular, this name hasn’t cracked the top 100 since 2007.Gary: Gary had a moment in the 1950s, perhaps thanks to Hollywood icon Gary Cooper, but you won’t come across many classrooms with this name nowadays.Joseph: Joe? Joey? Joseph? All variations have a great ring to it.Donald: Donald peaked in popularity in 1934, but remained in the top 20 until 1960.Ronald: Not feeling Donald? How about the similar-sounding Ronald!Kenneth: Kenneth means “born of fire" or "handsome,” which might explain how Barbie’s boyfriend got his name.Paul: This is a safe and simple name.Larry: One of the greatest NBA players of all time, Larry Bird was born in 1956.Daniel: The name Daniel only got more popular after the ‘50s; it didn’t peak until 2007-2008!Stephen: A slightly more formal take on Steven.
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Popular 1950s Names for GirlsFrom 1900 through 1965, Mary was always either the first or second most popular name for baby girls. But it has since fallen out of fashion and hasn’t even cracked the top 100 since 2008.Other popular girl names in the 1950s include Linda, Patricia, Susan, Deborah, Barbara, Debra, Karen, Nancy, and Donna.MaryOrigin: HebrewMeaning: Drop of the sea, bitter, or belovedLindaOrigin: Spanish, Portuguese, ItalianMeaning: PrettyFun Fact: Linda claimed the number one spot in 1947, ending Mary’s 47-year streak.PatriciaOrigin: LatinMeaning: Noble, patricianAlternative Spellings & Variations: Patty, Patsy, TriciaSusanOrigin: HebrewMeaning: LilyAlternative Spellings & Variations: Sue, SusieDeborahOrigin: HebrewMeaning: BeeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Debra, DebbieBarbaraOrigin: LatinMeaning: Foreign womanAlternative Spellings & Variations: Barb, Barbie, Barbra Fun Fact: Barbara Millicent Roberts (aka Barbie) hit the scene in 1959. Maybe the recent Barbie movie will give the name’s popularity a boost; it hasn’t appeared in the top 100 since 1977.DebraOrigin: HebrewMeaning: BeeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Deborah, DebbieKarenOrigin: DanishMeaning: PureFun Fact: Karen is a Danish diminutive of Katherine.NancyOrigin: Hebrew, FrenchMeaning: PureAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nan, NannyDonnaOrigin: ItalianMeaning: LadyFun Fact: Legendary actress Donna Reed might have been a contributing factor for the name’s popularity in the ‘50s.More '50s Names for GirlsCynthia: Cynthia appeared in the top 20 from 1951 through 1968.Sandra: Sandra was most popular in the 1940s, which carried over into the next decade. However, the name dwindled in interest after that. Pamela: Pamela means “all honey,” which sounds pretty sweet!Sharon: Actress Sharon Stone was born in 1958, joining the ranks of many other Sharons that year. Kathleen: This Irish baby name means “pure” and is related to Katherine and Kaitlin.Carol: This might be the perfect name for babies born around the holidays!Diane: Today it’s less popular than Diana, but in 1958, Diane was the most popular name for girls. Brenda: Did you know Brenda means “blade of a sword”? Now that’s fierce!Cheryl: Cheryl hasn’t appeared in the top 1,000 baby girl names since 1997, but with a French meaning of “darling," it might be worth revisiting.Janet: Janet Leigh was one of the most famous actresses of the 1950s—and she’s also Jamie Lee Curtis’s mom! More Baby Name IdeasFor more baby name inspiration, take a look at the following lists: Top 1,000 Baby Boy Names in the U.S.Top 1,000 Baby Girl Names in the U.S. Top Baby Names of the 1980sBest Baby Names of the 1970s51 Popular Baby Names of the 1960s
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