The most popular baby names of the 1950s

The 1950s was the starting point for the second half of the 20th century. The post-World War II period saw the spark of the civil rights movement, the influx of suburbia, and the birth of rock and roll. This period is also synonymous with the “baby boom,” which was characterized by a sharp rise in birth rates across the country, so it’s natural for parents to look for inspiration for baby names.

The hottest baby names of the 1950s may look familiar—you might even spot your own parents’ names on the list! While most of the 1950s nicknames are still common today, some of them haven’t cracked the top 20 or even the top 100 in recent years, which means it’s time for the next generation to revive them.

Read on for timeless baby name ideas from the 1950s, compiled with information from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Although this article breaks down names by gender, the gender your baby is assigned at birth does not need to determine the name you choose for your baby. Names themselves are not gender specific or associated with a specific gender, and it is important to choose a name that is appropriate for your child and family.

Popular boy names in the 1950s

According to SSA data, the most popular boys’ name in the 1950s was James. In fact, James was in the top 10 boys’ names every year from 1900 to 1992! Although it declined in the 1990s and 2000s, it returned to ninth place in 2014 and has been climbing ever since.

Other names in the top ten include Michael, Robert, John, David, William, Richard, Thomas, Mark and Charles. Learn more about these 1950s boy names below.

james

origin: Hebrew, English
significance:cover
Alternative spellings and variations: Jimmy, Jamie, James
Interesting facts: Six presidents have been named James, making it the most common name for a president.

Michael

origin: Hebrew
significance: Who is like God?
Alternative spellings and variations: Mike, Mikey
Interesting facts: Michael was the number one boys’ name from 1954 to 1998, except in 1960, when it dropped to number two.

Robert

origin: German, English
significance: Brilliant fame
Alternative spellings and variations: Rob, Robby, Robbie, Bob, Bobby

John

origin: Hebrew
significance: god is merciful
Alternative spellings and variations: Jon, Jack
Interesting facts: This short baby name actually reached its peak of popularity before the 1950s – it was the most popular boys’ name between 1900 and 1923!

david

origin: Hebrew
significance: beloved
Alternative spellings and variations: dave

William

origin: German
significance: resolutely protect
Alternative spellings and variations: Will, Wells, Bill, Billy
Interesting facts: Since 1900, William has never been lower than the top 20 names for baby boys.

Richard

origin: German
significance: ruler
Alternative spellings and variations: Ricky

Thomas

origin: Aramaic
significance: pair
Alternative spellings and variations: Thomas, Tom, Tommy

mark

origin: Latin
significance: warlike
Alternative spellings and variations: mark

charles

origin: German, French
significance: free man
Alternative spellings and variations: Charlie, Charlie, Chuck
Interesting facts: Charles was a common name for aristocrats, and today it is sometimes considered a unisex baby name.

More 50s Boy Names

Steven: The name was once popular, but has not been in the top 100 since 2007.
Gary: Gary had a moment in the 1950s, perhaps thanks to Hollywood icon Gary Cooper, but you won’t encounter many classrooms with this name anymore.
Joseph: Joe? Joey? Joseph? All variants have a large ring.
Donald: The Donald’s popularity peaked in 1934, but remained in the top 20 until 1960.
Ronald: Don’t you think Donald? How about the similar sounding Ronald!
Kenneth: Kenneth means “born from fire” or “handsome,” which may explain how Barbie’s boyfriend got his name.
Paul: This is a safe and simple name.
Larry: Larry Bird was born in 1956 and is one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Daniel: The name Daniel only became more popular after the 1950s; it didn’t reach its peak until 2007-2008!
Stephen: A slightly more formal take on Steven.

Getty Images/Tom Kelly Archives.

Popular girls’ names in the 1950s

From 1900 to 1965, Mary was consistently the first or second most popular name for baby girls. But it has since fallen out of popularity, not even ranking in the top 100 since 2008.

Other popular girls’ names in the 1950s included Linda, Patricia, Susan, Deborah, Barbara, Debra, Karen, Nancy and Donna.

Mary

origin: Hebrew
significance: A drop of the sea, bitter, but still beloved

Linda

origin: Spanish, Portuguese, Italian
significance: beautiful
Interesting facts: In 1947, Linda took first place, ending Mary’s 47-year run.

Patricia

origin: Latin
significance: aristocrat, aristocrat
Alternative spellings and variations: Patty, Patsy, Tricia

Susan

origin: Hebrew
significance: lily
Alternative spellings and variations: Sue, Susie

Deborah

origin: Hebrew
significance: bee
Alternative spellings and variations: Debra, Debbie

Barbara

origin: Latin
significance: foreign woman
Alternative spellings and variations: barb, barbie, barbara
Interesting facts: Barbara Millicent Roberts (also known as Barbie) debuted in 1959. Barbie The movie will boost the name’s profile; it hasn’t appeared in the top 100 since 1977.

Debra

origin: Hebrew
significance: bee
Alternative spellings and variations: Deborah, Debbie

Karen

origin: danish
significance: pure
Interesting facts: Karen is Katherine’s Danish nickname.

Nancy

origin: Hebrew, French
significance: pure
Alternative spellings and variations: nanny, nanny

donna

origin: Italian
significance: Miss
Interesting facts: Legendary actress Donna Reed may have been a factor in the name’s popularity in the 1950s.

More 1950s Girl Names

Cynthia: Cynthia was in the top 20 from 1951 to 1968.
Sandra: Sandra was most popular in the 1940s and continued into the following decade. However, interest in the name waned thereafter.
Pamela: Pamela means “all honey” and it sounds so sweet!
Sharon: Actress Sharon Stone was born in 1958, joining many other Sharons that year.
Catherine: This Irish baby name means “pure” and is related to Catherine and Caitlin.
carol: This could be the perfect name for a baby born around the holidays!
Diane: Today, it is less popular than Diana, but in 1958, Diane was the most popular name for girls.
Brenda: Did you know that Brenda means “sword blade”? This is terrible!
Cheryl: Cheryl hasn’t appeared in the top 1,000 baby girl names since 1997, but since it means “honey” in French, it might be worth revisiting.
Janet: Janet Leigh was one of the most famous actresses of the 1950s and the mother of Jamie Lee Curtis!

More baby name ideas

For more baby name inspiration, check out these lists:

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