California's most popular baby names in 1955

In the year 1955, California saw a surge in some of the most popular baby names of all time. For baby girls, Debra, Susan, and Linda were the top three names chosen by parents. These names were popular not just in California but also across the United States. Debra, meaning "bee," was a favorite among parents who wanted a name that was both unique and classic. Susan, meaning "lily," was a timeless choice that had been popular for decades. Linda, meaning "pretty" or "soft," was also a popular choice among parents looking for a name that was both feminine and strong.

For baby boys, Michael, David, and Robert were the top three names chosen by parents in California. Michael, meaning "who is like God," was a name that had been popular for centuries and continued to be a favorite among parents in 1955. David, meaning "beloved," was another classic name that had been popular for decades. Robert, meaning "bright fame," was a name that had been popular since the Middle Ages and continued to be a favorite among parents in California and across the United States. Overall, these popular baby names of 1955 reflected a desire among parents for names that were both timeless and unique.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1955

In California, 1955, the most popular baby girl names were Debra, Susan, Linda, Mary, and Deborah. Debra was the most popular name with 3969 babies being given that name, followed closely by Susan with 3900 babies. Linda was the third most popular name with 3750 babies, while Mary and Deborah rounded out the top five with 3397 and 3325 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Debra

3969 baby girls born in California (1955) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Susan

3900 baby girls born in California (1955) 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.
Linda

3750 baby girls born in California (1955) 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."
Mary

3397 baby girls born in California (1955) 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

3325 baby girls born in California (1955) 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.
Patricia
3044 baby girls born in California (1955) 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.
Karen
2831 baby girls born in California (1955) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Cynthia
2364 baby girls born in California (1955) 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.
Nancy
2291 baby girls born in California (1955) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Pamela
2190 baby girls born in California (1955) 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).
Kathleen
2012 baby girls born in California (1955) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Barbara
2010 baby girls born in California (1955) 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
1827 baby girls born in California (1955) 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.
Donna
1660 baby girls born in California (1955) 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.
Carol
1651 baby girls born in California (1955) 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".
Cheryl
1639 baby girls born in California (1955) named Cheryl
The name Cheryl is of English origin and its meaning is uncertain. It is believed to have been derived from the French name Cherie, which means "darling" or "beloved". However, some sources suggest that it may have originated from the Welsh name Ceinlys, which means "beautiful". The name Cheryl was most popular in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s.
Diane
1543 baby girls born in California (1955) 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".
Sharon
1493 baby girls born in California (1955) 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.
Janet
1413 baby girls born in California (1955) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Denise
1374 baby girls born in California (1955) 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 1955

Based on the data from California in 1955, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, David, Robert, John, and James. Michael was the most popular name with 7865 newborns given that name. David came in second with 7386 newborns given that name, followed by Robert with 6896 newborns, John with 6032 newborns, and James with 5153 newborns.

Michael

7865 baby boys born in California (1955) 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.
David

7386 baby boys born in California (1955) 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.
Robert

6896 baby boys born in California (1955) 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

6032 baby boys born in California (1955) 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

5153 baby boys born in California (1955) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard
4868 baby boys born in California (1955) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Steven
4206 baby boys born in California (1955) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Mark
4106 baby boys born in California (1955) 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.
William
3913 baby boys born in California (1955) 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.
Thomas
2772 baby boys born in California (1955) 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.
Daniel
2610 baby boys born in California (1955) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Gary
2546 baby boys born in California (1955) 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
2202 baby boys born in California (1955) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Paul
2131 baby boys born in California (1955) 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.
Kenneth
2052 baby boys born in California (1955) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Donald
2048 baby boys born in California (1955) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
1948 baby boys born in California (1955) 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.
Gregory
1915 baby boys born in California (1955) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".
Jeffrey
1872 baby boys born in California (1955) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Stephen
1791 baby boys born in California (1955) 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.