California's most popular baby names in 1961

In the year 1961, the state of California witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The top baby girl names of the year were Lisa, Susan, and Karen. These names were widely favored by parents across the state, and were among the most popular choices for baby girls born in 1961.

Similarly, the top baby boy names of the year were David, Michael, and John. These names were also highly popular among parents, and were chosen by many as the perfect name for their newborn sons. Whether it was the classic appeal of John or the strong, timeless quality of Michael, these names were a hit with Californian parents in 1961.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1961

In 1961, Lisa was the most popular name for baby girls in California, with 3768 girls being given that name. Susan came in second place with 3135 babies named Susan, followed by Karen with 3042 babies given that name. Linda was the fourth most popular name for baby girls in California in 1961, with 2741 babies being named Linda. Finally, Mary came in fifth place with 2715 babies being given that name. These were the top five baby girl names in California in 1961.

Lisa

3768 baby girls born in California (1961) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Susan

3135 baby girls born in California (1961) 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

3042 baby girls born in California (1961) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Linda

2741 baby girls born in California (1961) 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

2715 baby girls born in California (1961) 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.
Sandra
2184 baby girls born in California (1961) 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.
Patricia
2146 baby girls born in California (1961) 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.
Julie
2135 baby girls born in California (1961) 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".
Cynthia
2131 baby girls born in California (1961) 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.
Lori
2089 baby girls born in California (1961) 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.
Laura
2045 baby girls born in California (1961) 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.
Deborah
1830 baby girls born in California (1961) 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.
Elizabeth
1761 baby girls born in California (1961) 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.
Donna
1663 baby girls born in California (1961) 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.
Debra
1646 baby girls born in California (1961) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Denise
1599 baby girls born in California (1961) 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.
Pamela
1568 baby girls born in California (1961) 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).
Cheryl
1565 baby girls born in California (1961) 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.
Nancy
1559 baby girls born in California (1961) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Debbie
1547 baby girls born in California (1961) named Debbie
The name Debbie is a diminutive form of the name Deborah. It is of Hebrew origin and means "bee".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1961

In 1961, the most popular baby boy names in California were David, Michael, John, Robert, and Mark. David was the most popular name with 8,116 babies given this name, followed closely by Michael with 7,927 babies. John was the third most popular name with 6,841 babies, followed by Robert with 6,623 babies. Mark rounded out the top five with 5,514 babies given this name. These names were all classic and traditional choices for baby boys at the time.

David

8116 baby boys born in California (1961) 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

7927 baby boys born in California (1961) 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.
John

6841 baby boys born in California (1961) 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.
Robert

6623 baby boys born in California (1961) 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.
Mark

5514 baby boys born in California (1961) 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
5177 baby boys born in California (1961) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard
4010 baby boys born in California (1961) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Steven
3417 baby boys born in California (1961) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
William
3152 baby boys born in California (1961) 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.
Daniel
2622 baby boys born in California (1961) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Kevin
2527 baby boys born in California (1961) 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".
Thomas
2403 baby boys born in California (1961) 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.
Scott
2315 baby boys born in California (1961) 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.
Jeffrey
2313 baby boys born in California (1961) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Paul
2235 baby boys born in California (1961) 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
2157 baby boys born in California (1961) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Ronald
2058 baby boys born in California (1961) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Brian
2052 baby boys born in California (1961) named Brian
The name Brian is of Irish origin and means "strong, virtuous, and honorable". It is a popular name for boys in Ireland and has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.
Charles
1942 baby boys born in California (1961) 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.
Gary
1857 baby boys born in California (1961) 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.