Illinois's most popular baby names in 1953

In the year 1953, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary, Linda, and Patricia were among the most popular choices for parents welcoming a new daughter into their family. These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for baby girls today.

For baby boys, the top names in Illinois in 1953 were Michael, Robert, and James. These strong and timeless names have remained popular over the years and are still commonly used today. Whether you're looking for a traditional name with a rich history or a modern name with a unique twist, the top baby names of 1953 in Illinois offer plenty of inspiration for parents-to-be.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1953

In Illinois, 1953, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Linda, Patricia, Susan, and Deborah. Mary was the most popular name with 3808 babies being named Mary that year. Linda followed closely behind with 3353 babies being given that name. Patricia, Susan, and Deborah were also popular choices with 2782, 2771, and 2521 babies being named respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Mary

3808 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Linda

3353 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) 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."
Patricia

2782 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) 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

2771 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Deborah

2521 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Debra
2233 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Barbara
2209 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Nancy
1946 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Karen
1835 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Pamela
1745 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) 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).
Kathleen
1626 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Diane
1400 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) named Diane
Diane is a feminine given name of French origin. The name is derived from the Roman goddess Diana, who was the goddess of hunting, the moon, and childbirth. The name Diane means "divine" or "heavenly".
Cynthia
1397 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Carol
1372 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) named Carol
The name Carol is derived from the Old Germanic word "karl", which means "man" or "free man". It is often associated with the Christmas season due to the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells".
Sandra
1313 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Donna
1289 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Sharon
1259 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Janet
1187 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Margaret
962 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Christine
929 baby girls born in Illinois (1953) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1953

In 1953, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Michael, Robert, James, John, and David. Michael was the most popular name, with 5472 babies being given that name. Robert came in second with 4850 babies, followed closely by James with 4763 babies. John and David rounded out the top five with 4614 and 4040 babies respectively. These names were likely popular due to their classic and timeless nature, as well as their strong biblical roots.

Michael

5472 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Robert

4850 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) 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.
James

4763 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

4614 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) 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.
David

4040 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Richard
3349 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William
3280 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Thomas
3045 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Steven
2277 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Gary
1993 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Mark
1929 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Charles
1791 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Ronald
1542 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
1536 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Joseph
1513 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Daniel
1429 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Kenneth
1403 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
1383 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) 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.
Dennis
1345 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) named Dennis
The name Dennis is of Greek origin and means "follower of Dionysius", the Greek god of wine and fertility. It was a popular name in ancient Greece and was later adopted by the Romans. The name has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history.
Gregory
1151 baby boys born in Illinois (1953) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".