California's most popular baby names in 1951

In the year 1951, California witnessed the birth of thousands of babies, each with their own unique names. However, some names stood out as the most popular choices for parents in the state. For baby girls, Linda was the most favored name, followed by Patricia and Susan. These names were not only popular in California but across the United States as well.

Similarly, for baby boys, Michael was the top choice for parents in California, followed by Robert and John. These classic names have been popular for generations and continue to be so even today. It's interesting to note how certain names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents, even after decades have passed.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1951

In 1951, the most popular baby girl names in California were Linda, Patricia, Susan, Mary, and Deborah. Linda was the most popular name with 4884 babies given that name. Patricia and Susan followed closely behind with 3546 and 3346 babies respectively. Mary and Deborah rounded out the top five with 3188 and 2736 babies given those names. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Linda

4884 baby girls born in California (1951) 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."
Patricia

3546 baby girls born in California (1951) 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.
Susan

3346 baby girls born in California (1951) 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

3188 baby girls born in California (1951) 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.
Deborah

2736 baby girls born in California (1951) 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.
Kathleen
2417 baby girls born in California (1951) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Karen
2155 baby girls born in California (1951) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Barbara
2137 baby girls born in California (1951) 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
2044 baby girls born in California (1951) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sandra
1816 baby girls born in California (1951) 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.
Sharon
1755 baby girls born in California (1951) 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.
Christine
1737 baby girls born in California (1951) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
Carol
1734 baby girls born in California (1951) 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".
Debra
1510 baby girls born in California (1951) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Pamela
1505 baby girls born in California (1951) 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).
Donna
1448 baby girls born in California (1951) 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
1357 baby girls born in California (1951) 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".
Cynthia
1240 baby girls born in California (1951) 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.
Janet
1235 baby girls born in California (1951) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Margaret
1028 baby girls born in California (1951) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1951

In California, 1951, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Robert, John, David, and James. Michael was the most popular name with 6190 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 6168 babies. John was the third most popular name with 5580 babies named John, while David and James were fourth and fifth with 4944 and 4758 babies respectively.

Michael

6190 baby boys born in California (1951) 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.
Robert

6168 baby boys born in California (1951) 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.
John

5580 baby boys born in California (1951) 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

4944 baby boys born in California (1951) 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

4758 baby boys born in California (1951) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard
4511 baby boys born in California (1951) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William
3713 baby boys born in California (1951) 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
3323 baby boys born in California (1951) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Gary
2957 baby boys born in California (1951) 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.
Thomas
2750 baby boys born in California (1951) 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.
Mark
2039 baby boys born in California (1951) 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.
Ronald
2025 baby boys born in California (1951) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
2004 baby boys born in California (1951) 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 (1951) 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.
Daniel
1817 baby boys born in California (1951) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Donald
1810 baby boys born in California (1951) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Dennis
1712 baby boys born in California (1951) 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.
Kenneth
1703 baby boys born in California (1951) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Larry
1651 baby boys born in California (1951) 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.
Paul
1625 baby boys born in California (1951) 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.