Names of US

California's most popular baby names in 1956

The year 1956 saw a surge of popular baby names in the state of California. The top baby girl names were Susan, Debra, and Linda, while the top baby boy names were Michael, David, and Robert. These names were not only popular in California but also across the United States.

Susan, meaning "lily," was the most popular name for baby girls in California in 1956. Debra, meaning "bee," and Linda, meaning "pretty," followed closely behind. For baby boys, Michael, meaning "who is like God," was the most popular name. David, meaning "beloved," and Robert, meaning "bright fame," were also highly sought after. These names continue to be popular even today and are a testament to the timeless nature of classic names.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1956

In 1956, the most popular baby girl names in California were Susan, Debra, Linda, Mary, and Deborah. Susan was the most popular name with 3771 babies given this name, followed closely by Debra with 3755 babies. Linda was also a popular choice with 3690 babies named Linda. Mary and Deborah rounded out the top five with 3411 and 3316 babies given these names, respectively. These names reflect the popular trends of the time and continue to be used today.

  1. Susan

    3771 baby girls born in California (1956) 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.

  2. Debra

    3755 baby girls born in California (1956) named Debra

    The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.

  3. Linda

    3690 baby girls born in California (1956) 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."

  4. Mary

    3411 baby girls born in California (1956) 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.

  5. Deborah

    3316 baby girls born in California (1956) 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.

  6. Karen

    3251 baby girls born in California (1956) named Karen

    Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

  7. Patricia

    3004 baby girls born in California (1956) 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.

  8. Cynthia

    2733 baby girls born in California (1956) 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.

  9. Pamela

    2145 baby girls born in California (1956) 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).

  10. Nancy

    2098 baby girls born in California (1956) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  11. Kathleen

    2075 baby girls born in California (1956) named Kathleen

    The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.

  12. Barbara

    1927 baby girls born in California (1956) 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.

  13. Sandra

    1823 baby girls born in California (1956) 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.

  14. Donna

    1737 baby girls born in California (1956) 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.

  15. Sharon

    1719 baby girls born in California (1956) 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.

  16. Cheryl

    1715 baby girls born in California (1956) 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.

  17. Carol

    1704 baby girls born in California (1956) 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".

  18. Diane

    1630 baby girls born in California (1956) 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".

  19. Denise

    1473 baby girls born in California (1956) 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.

  20. Lisa

    1440 baby girls born in California (1956) named Lisa

    The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1956

In California in 1956, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, David, Robert, John, and James. Michael was the most popular name with 8262 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 7118 babies. Robert, John, and James were also popular names with 7098, 6194, and 5389 babies given those names, respectively.

  1. Michael

    8262 baby boys born in California (1956) 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.

  2. David

    7118 baby boys born in California (1956) 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.

  3. Robert

    7098 baby boys born in California (1956) 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.

  4. John

    6194 baby boys born in California (1956) 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.

  5. James

    5389 baby boys born in California (1956) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  6. Richard

    4965 baby boys born in California (1956) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  7. Mark

    4633 baby boys born in California (1956) 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.

  8. Steven

    4177 baby boys born in California (1956) named Steven

    The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.

  9. William

    3808 baby boys born in California (1956) 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.

  10. Thomas

    2873 baby boys born in California (1956) 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.

  11. Daniel

    2642 baby boys born in California (1956) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  12. Gary

    2511 baby boys born in California (1956) 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.

  13. Ronald

    2474 baby boys born in California (1956) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  14. Paul

    2212 baby boys born in California (1956) 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.

  15. Donald

    2163 baby boys born in California (1956) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  16. Kenneth

    2106 baby boys born in California (1956) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  17. Charles

    2034 baby boys born in California (1956) 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.

  18. Timothy

    1958 baby boys born in California (1956) named Timothy

    The name Timothy is of Greek origin and means "honoring God" or "one who honors God". It is derived from the Greek name Timotheos, which is a combination of the words "timao" meaning to honor and "theos" meaning God.

  19. Jeffrey

    1937 baby boys born in California (1956) named Jeffrey

    The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.

  20. Gregory

    1929 baby boys born in California (1956) named Gregory

    The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".