California's most popular baby names in 1963

In the year 1963, California was experiencing a baby boom and parents were eager to give their newborns unique and meaningful names. The top baby girl names of the year were Lisa, Susan, and Karen, while the top baby boy names were Michael, David, and John.

Lisa, meaning "consecrated to God," was a popular choice for baby girls, while Susan, meaning "lily," and Karen, meaning "pure," were also common. For baby boys, Michael, meaning "who is like God," was the most popular name, followed by David, meaning "beloved," and John, meaning "God is gracious." These names continue to be popular choices for parents today, reflecting the timeless appeal of classic names.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1963

In 1963, the most popular baby girl name in California was Lisa, with a total of 4938 babies given this name. The second and third most popular names were Susan and Karen, with 2838 and 2801 babies given these names respectively. Mary and Linda were also popular choices, with 2610 and 2218 babies given these names respectively. Overall, these five names were the most common choices for baby girls in California in 1963.

  1. Lisa

    4938 baby girls born in California (1963) named Lisa

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

  2. Susan

    2838 baby girls born in California (1963) 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.

  3. Karen

    2801 baby girls born in California (1963) named Karen

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

  4. Mary

    2610 baby girls born in California (1963) 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. Linda

    2218 baby girls born in California (1963) 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."

  6. Laura

    2095 baby girls born in California (1963) 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.

  7. Cynthia

    2086 baby girls born in California (1963) 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.

  8. Julie

    2057 baby girls born in California (1963) 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".

  9. Patricia

    2034 baby girls born in California (1963) 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.

  10. Lori

    2009 baby girls born in California (1963) 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.

  11. Sandra

    1954 baby girls born in California (1963) 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.

  12. Kimberly

    1882 baby girls born in California (1963) named Kimberly

    The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.

  13. Deborah

    1852 baby girls born in California (1963) 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.

  14. Elizabeth

    1726 baby girls born in California (1963) 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.

  15. Michelle

    1690 baby girls born in California (1963) named Michelle

    Michelle is a feminine given name of French origin. The name means "who is like God" or "gift from God." It is a variation of the name Michael, which comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God." The name Michelle has been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity over time.

  16. Teresa

    1584 baby girls born in California (1963) named Teresa

    The name Teresa is derived from the Greek name Therasia, which means "harvester" or "reaper". It has also been associated with the Spanish word "teresa", meaning "to harvest". The name has been popularized by Saint Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic and writer who lived in the 16th century. The name is commonly given to girls and is of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian origin.

  17. Kelly

    1571 baby girls born in California (1963) named Kelly

    The name Kelly is of Irish origin and means "bright-headed" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls. The name has been popularized by its use as a surname and has been used as a given name since the 20th century.

  18. Denise

    1542 baby girls born in California (1963) 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.

  19. Tammy

    1539 baby girls born in California (1963) named Tammy

    The name Tammy is a diminutive form of the name Tamara, which has Hebrew origins and means "palm tree" or "date tree". The exact meaning of Tammy is unclear, but it is generally considered to be a modern English name that is derived from Tamara.

  20. Maria

    1532 baby girls born in California (1963) named Maria

    Maria is a name of Latin origin, derived from the name Mariam or Miriam, which means "bitterness" or "sorrow". It is a common name in many cultures and is often associated with the Virgin Mary in Christianity.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1963

In 1963, the most popular baby boy names in California were Michael, David, John, Robert, and James. Michael was the most popular name with 7821 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 7605 babies. John was the third most popular name with 7035 babies, while Robert and James rounded out the top five with 6825 and 5096 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

  1. Michael

    7821 baby boys born in California (1963) 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

    7605 baby boys born in California (1963) 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. John

    7035 baby boys born in California (1963) 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.

  4. Robert

    6825 baby boys born in California (1963) 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.

  5. James

    5096 baby boys born in California (1963) named James

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

  6. Mark

    4837 baby boys born in California (1963) 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.

  7. Richard

    4327 baby boys born in California (1963) named Richard

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

  8. William

    3139 baby boys born in California (1963) 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.

  9. Steven

    3117 baby boys born in California (1963) named Steven

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

  10. Scott

    2906 baby boys born in California (1963) 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.

  11. Kevin

    2756 baby boys born in California (1963) named Kevin

    The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name CaoimhĂ­n, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".

  12. Daniel

    2684 baby boys born in California (1963) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  13. Jeffrey

    2543 baby boys born in California (1963) named Jeffrey

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

  14. Thomas

    2384 baby boys born in California (1963) 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.

  15. Paul

    2340 baby boys born in California (1963) 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.

  16. Brian

    2303 baby boys born in California (1963) 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.

  17. Kenneth

    2176 baby boys born in California (1963) named Kenneth

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

  18. Ronald

    2047 baby boys born in California (1963) named Ronald

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

  19. Gregory

    2014 baby boys born in California (1963) named Gregory

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

  20. Joseph

    1975 baby boys born in California (1963) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".