California's most popular baby names in 1957

In the year 1957, the state of California saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Susan, Linda, and Mary. These names were not only traditional but also carried a sense of elegance and grace. Parents in California seemed to gravitate towards these names, as they were both timeless and classic.

On the other hand, for baby boys, the top names were Michael, David, and Robert. These names were strong and masculine, and were chosen by parents who wanted to give their sons a name that exuded confidence and power. The names Michael, David, and Robert were popular not only in California but across the United States during this time period.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1957

In 1957, the most popular baby girl names in California were Susan, Linda, Mary, Cynthia, and Debra. Susan was the most popular name with 3632 babies given that name, followed closely by Linda with 3549 babies. Mary, Cynthia, and Debra rounded out the top five with 3461, 3359, and 3320 babies given those names, respectively. These names were very popular among parents in California during that time period.

Susan

3632 baby girls born in California (1957) 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

3549 baby girls born in California (1957) 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

3461 baby girls born in California (1957) 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.
Cynthia

3359 baby girls born in California (1957) 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.
Debra

3320 baby girls born in California (1957) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Karen
3304 baby girls born in California (1957) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Deborah
2634 baby girls born in California (1957) 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
2537 baby girls born in California (1957) 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.
Nancy
2084 baby girls born in California (1957) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Pamela
1946 baby girls born in California (1957) 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
1908 baby girls born in California (1957) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Cheryl
1833 baby girls born in California (1957) 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.
Julie
1816 baby girls born in California (1957) named Julie
The name Julie is a French name that means "youthful" or "full of energy". It is derived from the Latin name Julia, which means "soft-haired" or "youthful".
Sandra
1795 baby girls born in California (1957) 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.
Barbara
1771 baby girls born in California (1957) 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.
Cindy
1738 baby girls born in California (1957) named Cindy
The name Cindy is a diminutive form of the name Cynthia, which means "moon goddess" in Greek. It is also sometimes considered a nickname for the name Lucinda, which means "light" in Spanish.
Carol
1703 baby girls born in California (1957) 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".
Lisa
1681 baby girls born in California (1957) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Diane
1639 baby girls born in California (1957) 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
1607 baby girls born in California (1957) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1957

In California, 1957, Michael was the most popular name for baby boys with 8250 babies given that name. David followed closely behind with 7468 babies named David. Robert came in third place with 6843 babies given that name. John was the fourth most popular name with 6306 babies named John. James rounded out the top five with 5480 babies named James.

Michael

8250 baby boys born in California (1957) 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

7468 baby boys born in California (1957) 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

6843 baby boys born in California (1957) 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

6306 baby boys born in California (1957) 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

5480 baby boys born in California (1957) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard
4857 baby boys born in California (1957) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Mark
4850 baby boys born in California (1957) 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.
Steven
3856 baby boys born in California (1957) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
William
3733 baby boys born in California (1957) 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
2808 baby boys born in California (1957) 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
2643 baby boys born in California (1957) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Ronald
2437 baby boys born in California (1957) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Gary
2342 baby boys born in California (1957) 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.
Paul
2255 baby boys born in California (1957) 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
2234 baby boys born in California (1957) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Donald
2221 baby boys born in California (1957) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Charles
2142 baby boys born in California (1957) 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
2000 baby boys born in California (1957) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".
Timothy
1895 baby boys born in California (1957) 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.
Kevin
1870 baby boys born in California (1957) named Kevin
The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name Caoimhín, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".