California's most popular baby names in 1958

In the year 1958, the state of California saw a surge in popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Susan, Karen, and Mary topped the charts as the most popular names. These timeless classics have remained popular choices for parents over the years, with their simple yet elegant sound and meaning.

For baby boys, Michael, David, and Robert were the top picks in California. These names have also stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today. Whether you prefer traditional or modern names, these classic options are sure to remain a favorite for years to come.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1958

In 1958, the most popular baby girl names in California were Susan, Karen, Mary, Linda, and Cynthia. Susan was the most popular name with 3504 babies given that name, followed closely by Karen with 3231 babies. Mary, Linda, and Cynthia rounded out the top five with 3161, 3103, and 2674 babies respectively given those names. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Susan

3504 baby girls born in California (1958) 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.
Karen

3231 baby girls born in California (1958) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Mary

3161 baby girls born in California (1958) 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.
Linda

3103 baby girls born in California (1958) 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."
Cynthia

2674 baby girls born in California (1958) 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
2660 baby girls born in California (1958) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Patricia
2626 baby girls born in California (1958) 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.
Lisa
2313 baby girls born in California (1958) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Julie
2209 baby girls born in California (1958) 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".
Deborah
2200 baby girls born in California (1958) 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.
Cheryl
1833 baby girls born in California (1958) 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.
Pamela
1816 baby girls born in California (1958) 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
1784 baby girls born in California (1958) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Nancy
1771 baby girls born in California (1958) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Lori
1752 baby girls born in California (1958) named Lori
The name Lori is a short form of the name Lorraine or Laurence. Its origin and meaning are uncertain, but it is believed to have French or Latin roots. Some sources suggest that it may mean "crowned with laurel" or "victorious." However, the exact meaning of the name Lori remains unknown.
Sandra
1748 baby girls born in California (1958) 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.
Kathy
1697 baby girls born in California (1958) named Kathy
The name Kathy is a diminutive form of the name Katherine, which means "pure" or "clear". It is of Greek origin and has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Barbara
1672 baby girls born in California (1958) 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.
Debbie
1656 baby girls born in California (1958) named Debbie
The name Debbie is a diminutive form of the name Deborah. It is of Hebrew origin and means "bee".
Diane
1635 baby girls born in California (1958) 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".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1958

Based on the data from 1958, the most popular baby boy names in California were Michael, David, Robert, John, and James. Michael was the most popular name, with 7,630 babies given that name. David came in second place with 7,455 babies given that name, followed by Robert with 6,695 babies. John was the fourth most popular name with 6,086 babies named John, and James was the fifth most popular name with 5,318 babies given that name. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical figures, as well as family traditions and personal preferences.

Michael

7630 baby boys born in California (1958) 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

7455 baby boys born in California (1958) 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

6695 baby boys born in California (1958) 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

6086 baby boys born in California (1958) 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

5318 baby boys born in California (1958) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Mark
4782 baby boys born in California (1958) 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.
Richard
4608 baby boys born in California (1958) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Steven
3484 baby boys born in California (1958) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
William
3410 baby boys born in California (1958) 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
2626 baby boys born in California (1958) 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
2498 baby boys born in California (1958) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Ronald
2218 baby boys born in California (1958) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Paul
2185 baby boys born in California (1958) 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.
Gary
2071 baby boys born in California (1958) 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.
Kenneth
2042 baby boys born in California (1958) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Donald
2005 baby boys born in California (1958) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Timothy
2002 baby boys born in California (1958) 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.
Charles
1993 baby boys born in California (1958) 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.
Scott
1895 baby boys born in California (1958) named Scott
The name Scott is of Scottish origin and means "from Scotland" or "wanderer". It is a common surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century.
Kevin
1888 baby boys born in California (1958) 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".