District of columbia's most popular baby names in 1961

In the year 1961, the District of Columbia saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Topping the list was the ever-popular name Mary, which has been a favorite for generations. Close behind were Karen and Lisa, both of which were also widely used during this time period.

For baby boys, the top names were Michael, John, and James. These classic names have been popular for decades and continue to be a go-to choice for parents looking for timeless names for their sons. Overall, the top baby names in the District of Columbia in 1961 reflect a trend towards traditional, timeless names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in District of columbia in 1961

In the year 1961, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls in the District of Columbia, with 374 girls given this name. Karen was the second most popular name, with 299 girls named Karen. Lisa followed closely behind with 267 girls given this name. Sharon and Patricia rounded out the top five, with 253 and 252 girls respectively given these names.

Mary

374 baby girls born in District of columbia (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.
Karen

299 baby girls born in District of columbia (1961) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Lisa

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

253 baby girls born in District of columbia (1961) named Sharon
The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.
Patricia

252 baby girls born in District of columbia (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.
Susan
250 baby girls born in District of columbia (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.
Linda
233 baby girls born in District of columbia (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."
Deborah
225 baby girls born in District of columbia (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.
Donna
205 baby girls born in District of columbia (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.
Pamela
188 baby girls born in District of columbia (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).
Cynthia
182 baby girls born in District of columbia (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.
Robin
172 baby girls born in District of columbia (1961) named Robin
The name Robin is of English origin and is derived from the bird of the same name. It is a unisex name and means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Jacqueline
161 baby girls born in District of columbia (1961) named Jacqueline
The name Jacqueline is a French name that means "supplanter" or "one who takes the place of another". It is the feminine form of the name Jacques.
Barbara
153 baby girls born in District of columbia (1961) named Barbara
The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.
Sandra
152 baby girls born in District of columbia (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.
Denise
151 baby girls born in District of columbia (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.
Carolyn
146 baby girls born in District of columbia (1961) named Carolyn
The name Carolyn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a variant of Caroline, which is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "strong". The name Carolyn has been in use since the 19th century and has been a popular name for girls in the United States.
Elizabeth
144 baby girls born in District of columbia (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.
Cheryl
140 baby girls born in District of columbia (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.
Michelle
140 baby girls born in District of columbia (1961) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in District of columbia in 1961

Based on the records of baby boy names in District of Columbia in 1961, Michael was the most popular name with 771 babies given that name. Following Michael were John with 725, James with 646, David with 598, and Robert with 546. These five names were the most commonly given to baby boys in the District of Columbia during that year.

Michael

771 baby boys born in District of columbia (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

725 baby boys born in District of columbia (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.
James

646 baby boys born in District of columbia (1961) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David

598 baby boys born in District of columbia (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.
Robert

546 baby boys born in District of columbia (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.
William
451 baby boys born in District of columbia (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.
Mark
332 baby boys born in District of columbia (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.
Kevin
313 baby boys born in District of columbia (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".
Charles
299 baby boys born in District of columbia (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.
Anthony
296 baby boys born in District of columbia (1961) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Thomas
290 baby boys born in District of columbia (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.
Joseph
269 baby boys born in District of columbia (1961) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Richard
262 baby boys born in District of columbia (1961) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Christopher
224 baby boys born in District of columbia (1961) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Kenneth
216 baby boys born in District of columbia (1961) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Steven
205 baby boys born in District of columbia (1961) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Paul
203 baby boys born in District of columbia (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.
Jeffrey
199 baby boys born in District of columbia (1961) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Gregory
194 baby boys born in District of columbia (1961) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".
Stephen
176 baby boys born in District of columbia (1961) named Stephen
The name Stephen means "crown" or "garland" in Greek. It is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, which was a common name among early Christians due to its association with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.