California's most popular baby names in 1950

The year 1950 was a time of great change and growth in California, and this was reflected in the names given to newborns throughout the state. In that year, the most popular baby girl names were Linda, Susan, and Mary, while the top baby boy names were Robert, Michael, and John.

Linda, meaning "beautiful" in Spanish, was the most popular name for baby girls in California in 1950. This name had been steadily rising in popularity since the 1930s, and was a reflection of the state's growing Hispanic population. Susan, meaning "lily," was another popular choice, as was Mary, a classic name with religious significance. For baby boys, Robert was the most commonly chosen name, followed closely by Michael and John. These names were traditional and timeless, reflecting the values and ideals of the post-war era.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1950

In California in 1950, the most popular baby girl names were Linda, Susan, Mary, Patricia, and Kathleen. Linda was the most popular name with 5388 babies given that name. Susan and Mary followed with 3260 and 3131 babies respectively. Patricia and Kathleen were also popular names with 3049 and 2311 babies given those names.

Linda

5388 baby girls born in California (1950) named Linda
The name Linda means "beautiful" or "pretty" in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and other Romance languages. It is also derived from the Germanic word "lind," which means "gentle" or "soft."
Susan

3260 baby girls born in California (1950) named Susan
The name Susan means "lily" or "graceful lily" in Hebrew. It was a popular name in the 1940s and 1950s, but has since declined in popularity.
Mary

3131 baby girls born in California (1950) named Mary
Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.
Patricia

3049 baby girls born in California (1950) named Patricia
The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.
Kathleen

2311 baby girls born in California (1950) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Barbara
2270 baby girls born in California (1950) named Barbara
The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.
Nancy
2076 baby girls born in California (1950) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sandra
2017 baby girls born in California (1950) named Sandra
The name Sandra is a variant of the name Alexandra, which is of Greek origin. The name Alexandra means "defender of mankind" or "protector of humanity". Therefore, it can be inferred that the name Sandra has a similar meaning.
Deborah
1992 baby girls born in California (1950) named Deborah
Deborah is a Hebrew name that means "bee". It is derived from the Hebrew word "d'vorah" which also means "word" or "thing". The name Deborah is often associated with strength, wisdom, and leadership, as the biblical Deborah was a judge and prophetess who led the Israelites to victory over their enemies.
Karen
1867 baby girls born in California (1950) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Sharon
1816 baby girls born in California (1950) named Sharon
The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.
Carol
1737 baby girls born in California (1950) named Carol
The name Carol is derived from the Old Germanic word "karl", which means "man" or "free man". It is often associated with the Christmas season due to the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells".
Pamela
1462 baby girls born in California (1950) named Pamela
The name Pamela is of Greek origin and means "all sweetness" or "honeyed". It was first popularized by Sir Philip Sidney in his pastoral romance "Arcadia" (1590) and later by Samuel Richardson in his novel "Pamela" (1740).
Christine
1361 baby girls born in California (1950) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
Donna
1355 baby girls born in California (1950) named Donna
The name Donna is of Italian origin and means "lady" or "woman". It was initially used as a title of respect for women of high social status in Italy, but later became a popular given name in English-speaking countries.
Diane
1214 baby girls born in California (1950) named Diane
Diane is a feminine given name of French origin. The name is derived from the Roman goddess Diana, who was the goddess of hunting, the moon, and childbirth. The name Diane means "divine" or "heavenly".
Janet
1170 baby girls born in California (1950) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Margaret
1101 baby girls born in California (1950) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Cynthia
1083 baby girls born in California (1950) named Cynthia
The name Cynthia means "moon goddess" or "from Mount Kynthos" in Greek. It is also associated with the Greek mythological figure Artemis, who was known as the goddess of the hunt and the moon. The name Cynthia has been in use since ancient times and has remained relatively popular throughout history.
Janice
952 baby girls born in California (1950) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1950

In California in 1950, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, Michael, John, David, and James, in that order. Robert was the most common name, with 6037 babies given that name. Michael and John were close behind, with 5533 and 5347 babies given those names, respectively. David and James rounded out the top five, with 4853 and 4632 babies given those names, respectively. These names were popular choices for parents in California during that time period.

Robert

6037 baby boys born in California (1950) named Robert
The name Robert means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobility.
Michael

5533 baby boys born in California (1950) named Michael
The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
John

5347 baby boys born in California (1950) named John
The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.
David

4853 baby boys born in California (1950) named David
The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.
James

4632 baby boys born in California (1950) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard
4235 baby boys born in California (1950) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William
3461 baby boys born in California (1950) named William
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
Steven
2858 baby boys born in California (1950) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Thomas
2595 baby boys born in California (1950) named Thomas
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
Gary
2567 baby boys born in California (1950) named Gary
The name Gary is of English origin and means "spear rule" or "spear carrier". It was originally a surname but became popular as a given name in the 20th century. People with this name are believed to be independent, practical, and analytical.
Ronald
1969 baby boys born in California (1950) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
1944 baby boys born in California (1950) named Charles
The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.
Stephen
1892 baby boys born in California (1950) named Stephen
The name Stephen means "crown" or "garland" in Greek. It is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, which was a common name among early Christians due to its association with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Donald
1782 baby boys born in California (1950) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Dennis
1709 baby boys born in California (1950) named Dennis
The name Dennis is of Greek origin and means "follower of Dionysius", the Greek god of wine and fertility. It was a popular name in ancient Greece and was later adopted by the Romans. The name has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history.
Daniel
1693 baby boys born in California (1950) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Larry
1678 baby boys born in California (1950) named Larry
The name Larry is a shortened form of the name Lawrence, which comes from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages due to the fame of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron. The name Larry has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been a popular name in the United States.
Mark
1584 baby boys born in California (1950) named Mark
The name Mark is derived from the Latin name "Marcus" which means "dedicated to Mars", the Roman god of war. It is a popular name among Christians as it is the name of one of the four Gospel writers in the New Testament. The name Mark is also associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and leadership.
Kenneth
1578 baby boys born in California (1950) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
1444 baby boys born in California (1950) named Paul
The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.