California's most popular baby names in 1953

In the year 1953, the state of California witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The top baby girl names of the year included Linda, Deborah, and Susan, while the top baby boy names were Michael, Robert, and David.

Linda emerged as the most popular name for baby girls in California in 1953, with a significant lead over the other two names. Deborah and Susan followed closely behind in popularity. On the other hand, Michael was the most popular name for baby boys, followed by Robert and David. These names were a reflection of the cultural and social trends of the time and continue to be popular even today.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1953

In the year 1953, the most popular baby girl names in California were Linda, Deborah, Susan, Mary, and Patricia. Linda was the most popular name with 4452 baby girls being named Linda that year. Deborah and Susan followed closely behind with 3857 and 3753 babies respectively. Mary and Patricia completed the top 5 with 3401 and 3325 babies named after them. These names were popular choices for parents in California during that time.

Linda

4452 baby girls born in California (1953) 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."
Deborah

3857 baby girls born in California (1953) 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.
Susan

3753 baby girls born in California (1953) 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

3401 baby girls born in California (1953) 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

3325 baby girls born in California (1953) 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.
Debra
3295 baby girls born in California (1953) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Karen
2461 baby girls born in California (1953) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Cynthia
2288 baby girls born in California (1953) 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.
Kathleen
2232 baby girls born in California (1953) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Pamela
2221 baby girls born in California (1953) 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).
Nancy
2210 baby girls born in California (1953) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Barbara
2147 baby girls born in California (1953) 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.
Sandra
1948 baby girls born in California (1953) 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
1655 baby girls born in California (1953) 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
1597 baby girls born in California (1953) 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".
Donna
1554 baby girls born in California (1953) 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
1534 baby girls born in California (1953) 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
1446 baby girls born in California (1953) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Elizabeth
1185 baby girls born in California (1953) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Denise
1068 baby girls born in California (1953) named Denise
The name Denise is of French origin and is derived from the name Denis, which means "follower of Dionysius." Dionysius was the Greek god of wine, fertility, and theater. The name Denise was popularized in the 20th century, particularly in the United States.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1953

In 1953, the most popular baby boy names in California were Michael, Robert, David, John, and James. Michael was the most popular name with 7853 babies given that name. Robert followed closely with 6755 babies named Robert, while David came in third with 6384 babies. John and James rounded out the top five with 5955 and 5252 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures of the time, such as Michael Jackson and Robert Kennedy.

Michael

7853 baby boys born in California (1953) 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

6755 baby boys born in California (1953) 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.
David

6384 baby boys born in California (1953) 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.
John

5955 baby boys born in California (1953) 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.
James

5252 baby boys born in California (1953) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard
5228 baby boys born in California (1953) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Steven
3954 baby boys born in California (1953) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
William
3858 baby boys born in California (1953) 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.
Gary
2941 baby boys born in California (1953) 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
2877 baby boys born in California (1953) 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
2877 baby boys born in California (1953) 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.
Daniel
2263 baby boys born in California (1953) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Ronald
2187 baby boys born in California (1953) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
2121 baby boys born in California (1953) 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.
Donald
2102 baby boys born in California (1953) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Kenneth
1937 baby boys born in California (1953) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
1904 baby boys born in California (1953) 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.
Dennis
1810 baby boys born in California (1953) 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.
Stephen
1807 baby boys born in California (1953) 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.
Gregory
1611 baby boys born in California (1953) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".