California's most popular baby names in 1959

In the year 1959, the state of California witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Karen, and Susan emerged as the top choices for baby girls, while David, Michael, and Robert were the most popular names for baby boys.

Mary, a timeless classic, maintained its position as the most popular name for baby girls in California. Karen and Susan followed closely behind, reflecting the trend of simple and traditional names. On the other hand, David, Michael, and Robert dominated the baby boy names, with their strong and masculine sound. These names were a testament to the cultural and social influences of the time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1959

According to records from 1959, the most popular baby girl names in California were Mary, Karen, Susan, Linda, and Lisa. Mary was the most popular name with 3196 babies given that name, followed closely by Karen with 3134 babies and Susan with 3122 babies. Linda and Lisa rounded out the top five with 3102 and 2680 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural trends and celebrities of the time.

Mary

3196 baby girls born in California (1959) 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.
Karen

3134 baby girls born in California (1959) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Susan

3122 baby girls born in California (1959) 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

3102 baby girls born in California (1959) 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."
Lisa

2680 baby girls born in California (1959) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Cynthia
2534 baby girls born in California (1959) 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.
Patricia
2529 baby girls born in California (1959) 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
2290 baby girls born in California (1959) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Deborah
2137 baby girls born in California (1959) 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.
Donna
2061 baby girls born in California (1959) 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.
Sandra
1906 baby girls born in California (1959) 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.
Julie
1867 baby girls born in California (1959) 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".
Lori
1858 baby girls born in California (1959) 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.
Pamela
1852 baby girls born in California (1959) 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).
Debbie
1775 baby girls born in California (1959) named Debbie
The name Debbie is a diminutive form of the name Deborah. It is of Hebrew origin and means "bee".
Laura
1665 baby girls born in California (1959) named Laura
The name Laura is of Latin origin and means "bay laurel". It was a symbol of victory and honor in ancient Rome. The name has been popular in many countries and cultures throughout history.
Nancy
1661 baby girls born in California (1959) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Cheryl
1639 baby girls born in California (1959) 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.
Elizabeth
1603 baby girls born in California (1959) 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.
Kathleen
1595 baby girls born in California (1959) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1959

In California in the year 1959, the most popular baby boy names were David, Michael, Robert, John, and Mark. David was the most popular name with 7619 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 7457. Robert, John, and Mark rounded out the top five with 6513, 6165, and 5304 babies given those names, respectively.

David

7619 baby boys born in California (1959) 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.
Michael

7457 baby boys born in California (1959) 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

6513 baby boys born in California (1959) 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

6165 baby boys born in California (1959) 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.
Mark

5304 baby boys born in California (1959) 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.
James
5018 baby boys born in California (1959) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard
4460 baby boys born in California (1959) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Steven
3437 baby boys born in California (1959) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
William
3209 baby boys born in California (1959) 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
2493 baby boys born in California (1959) 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
2369 baby boys born in California (1959) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Paul
2190 baby boys born in California (1959) 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.
Ronald
2144 baby boys born in California (1959) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Kevin
2143 baby boys born in California (1959) 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".
Timothy
2022 baby boys born in California (1959) 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.
Jeffrey
1988 baby boys born in California (1959) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Kenneth
1983 baby boys born in California (1959) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Scott
1934 baby boys born in California (1959) 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.
Gary
1923 baby boys born in California (1959) 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.
Charles
1906 baby boys born in California (1959) 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.