California's most popular baby names in 1972

In the year 1972, California saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The top names for baby girls were Jennifer, Michelle, and Lisa, while the top names for baby boys were Michael, David, and Jason. These names were chosen by parents across the state for their newborns, and they continue to be popular choices to this day.

Jennifer, which means "white wave" or "fair phantom," has been a popular name for girls for many years. Michelle, which means "who is like God," and Lisa, which is a shortened version of Elizabeth and means "God is my oath," also have deep meanings behind them. On the boys' side, Michael, which means "who is like God," has been a favorite for decades, while David, which means "beloved," and Jason, which means "healer," also have significant meanings. These names have stood the test of time and remain popular choices for parents in California and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1972

In 1972, the most popular baby girl names in California were Jennifer, Michelle, Lisa, Kimberly, and Maria. Jennifer was the most popular name, given to 6065 baby girls, followed by Michelle with 2881, Lisa with 2430, Kimberly with 1915, and Maria with 1666. These names were likely inspired by popular cultural references, celebrities, and family traditions.

Jennifer

6065 baby girls born in California (1972) named Jennifer
The name Jennifer is of Welsh origin and means "fair and smooth". It was first used as a given name in the United States in the 20th century and became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
Michelle

2881 baby girls born in California (1972) 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.
Lisa

2430 baby girls born in California (1972) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Kimberly

1915 baby girls born in California (1972) 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.
Maria

1666 baby girls born in California (1972) 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.
Nicole
1546 baby girls born in California (1972) named Nicole
Nicole is a feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "victory of the people". It is a popular name in English-speaking countries and has been in use since the 1930s.
Heather
1517 baby girls born in California (1972) named Heather
The name Heather is of English origin and is derived from the name of a flowering plant that grows in Scotland. The name is often associated with the color purple and is said to symbolize admiration, good luck, and protection.
Amy
1462 baby girls born in California (1972) named Amy
The name Amy means "beloved" or "dearly loved" in French and Latin. It is a popular name for girls and has been used since the Middle Ages.
Julie
1405 baby girls born in California (1972) 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".
Christina
1403 baby girls born in California (1972) named Christina
The name Christina is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ". It is a feminine name and is commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Stephanie
1403 baby girls born in California (1972) named Stephanie
The name Stephanie is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.
Elizabeth
1364 baby girls born in California (1972) 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.
Melissa
1288 baby girls born in California (1972) named Melissa
The name Melissa is derived from the Greek word "melissa," which means "honey bee." It was a popular name in ancient Greece and is often associated with sweetness and industriousness.
Cynthia
1283 baby girls born in California (1972) 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.
Angela
1238 baby girls born in California (1972) named Angela
The name Angela is derived from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger of God". It is a feminine name that has been used in various cultures and languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Angela is often associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and grace.
Laura
1213 baby girls born in California (1972) 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.
Shannon
1198 baby girls born in California (1972) named Shannon
The name Shannon is of Irish origin and is derived from the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. The name means "wise river" or "old river". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Christine
1173 baby girls born in California (1972) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
Rebecca
1109 baby girls born in California (1972) named Rebecca
Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.
Patricia
1026 baby girls born in California (1972) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1972

In California, 1972, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, David, Jason, Christopher, and Robert. Michael was the most popular name with 6344 babies given that name, followed by David with 4634 babies. Jason, Christopher, and Robert were also popular names with 4041, 4016, and 3969 babies given those names, respectively.

Michael

6344 baby boys born in California (1972) 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

4634 baby boys born in California (1972) 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.
Jason

4041 baby boys born in California (1972) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Christopher

4016 baby boys born in California (1972) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Robert

3969 baby boys born in California (1972) 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
3542 baby boys born in California (1972) 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
3342 baby boys born in California (1972) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Brian
2937 baby boys born in California (1972) 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.
Daniel
2501 baby boys born in California (1972) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Richard
2314 baby boys born in California (1972) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Eric
2310 baby boys born in California (1972) named Eric
The name Eric is of Scandinavian origin and means "eternal ruler" or "ruler of all". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Matthew
2241 baby boys born in California (1972) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
William
1930 baby boys born in California (1972) 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.
Steven
1909 baby boys born in California (1972) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Jeffrey
1824 baby boys born in California (1972) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Scott
1812 baby boys born in California (1972) 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.
Mark
1805 baby boys born in California (1972) 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.
Joseph
1765 baby boys born in California (1972) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Anthony
1675 baby boys born in California (1972) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Kevin
1624 baby boys born in California (1972) 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".