California's most popular baby names in 1973

In the year 1973, the state of California witnessed a surge in baby names, with Jennifer, Michelle, and Lisa taking the lead for baby girls, while Michael, Jason, and David remained the popular choices for baby boys. These names were not only trendy but also carried a classic charm that made them timeless.

Jennifer, meaning "white wave" in Welsh, has been a popular choice for parents for decades. Michelle, which means "who is like God" in Hebrew, also maintained its popularity due to its elegant sound and positive meaning. Similarly, Lisa, meaning "consecrated to God" in Hebrew, was a go-to choice for parents looking for a simple yet beautiful name for their baby girl. On the other hand, Michael, meaning "who is like God" in Hebrew, remained a top choice for baby boys for its strong and classic sound. Jason, meaning "healer" in Greek, and David, meaning "beloved" in Hebrew, also held their ground as popular choices for baby boys in California in 1973.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1973

In California in 1973, the most popular baby girl name was Jennifer, with 5,649 babies given that name. The second most popular name was Michelle, with 2,613 babies named that. Lisa was the third most popular name, with 2,082 babies given that name. Maria and Kimberly were the fourth and fifth most popular names, respectively, with 1,750 and 1,717 babies named each.

Jennifer

5649 baby girls born in California (1973) 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

2613 baby girls born in California (1973) 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

2082 baby girls born in California (1973) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Maria

1750 baby girls born in California (1973) 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.
Kimberly

1717 baby girls born in California (1973) 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.
Heather
1675 baby girls born in California (1973) 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
1613 baby girls born in California (1973) 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.
Melissa
1447 baby girls born in California (1973) 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.
Christina
1424 baby girls born in California (1973) 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
1360 baby girls born in California (1973) 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.
Nicole
1323 baby girls born in California (1973) 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.
Elizabeth
1302 baby girls born in California (1973) 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.
Rebecca
1246 baby girls born in California (1973) 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.
Julie
1217 baby girls born in California (1973) 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".
Veronica
1104 baby girls born in California (1973) named Veronica
The name Veronica is of Latin origin and its meaning is "true image" or "she who brings victory". It is derived from the name Berenice, which means "bearer of victory". In Christian tradition, Veronica is the name of the woman who wiped the face of Jesus on his way to crucifixion and his image was miraculously imprinted on her veil.
Cynthia
1099 baby girls born in California (1973) 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.
Shannon
1090 baby girls born in California (1973) 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.
Laura
1089 baby girls born in California (1973) 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.
Angela
1041 baby girls born in California (1973) 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.
Monica
1000 baby girls born in California (1973) named Monica
The name Monica is of Latin origin and means "advisor" or "counselor".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1973

In California, 1973, the most popular baby boy name was Michael, with a total of 5880 babies given this name. Following Michael were Jason (4407), David (4174), Christopher (3530), and Robert (3492). These were the top five baby boy names chosen by parents in California during that year.

Michael

5880 baby boys born in California (1973) 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.
Jason

4407 baby boys born in California (1973) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
David

4174 baby boys born in California (1973) 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.
Christopher

3530 baby boys born in California (1973) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Robert

3492 baby boys born in California (1973) 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
3174 baby boys born in California (1973) 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
2908 baby boys born in California (1973) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Brian
2815 baby boys born in California (1973) 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
2752 baby boys born in California (1973) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Matthew
2236 baby boys born in California (1973) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Richard
2119 baby boys born in California (1973) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Eric
2070 baby boys born in California (1973) 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.
Mark
1794 baby boys born in California (1973) 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.
William
1764 baby boys born in California (1973) 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.
Joseph
1720 baby boys born in California (1973) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jose
1706 baby boys born in California (1973) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
Jeffrey
1691 baby boys born in California (1973) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Steven
1677 baby boys born in California (1973) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Anthony
1587 baby boys born in California (1973) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Scott
1532 baby boys born in California (1973) 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.