Illinois's most popular baby names in 1954

In the year 1954, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Linda, and Susan emerged as the top three names for baby girls, while Michael, Robert, and James were the most popular names for baby boys.

Mary, a classic name that has been popular for centuries, maintained its position as the most common name for baby girls in Illinois. Linda, a name that gained popularity in the mid-20th century, followed closely behind. Susan, another timeless name, rounded out the top three. For baby boys, Michael claimed the top spot, followed by Robert and James, both of which have remained popular names throughout history. These names reflect the trends and preferences of parents in Illinois during the mid-20th century, and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1954

According to the data, the most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1954 were Mary, Linda, Susan, Debra, and Deborah. Mary was the most popular name with 4339 babies being named Mary that year, followed by Linda with 3033 babies, Susan with 2985 babies, Debra with 2888 babies, and Deborah with 2848 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture, family traditions, and religious beliefs of parents in Illinois during that time period.

Mary

4339 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) 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

3033 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) 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."
Susan

2985 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) 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.
Debra

2888 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Deborah

2848 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) 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.
Patricia
2691 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) 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.
Barbara
2100 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) 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
2023 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Karen
1935 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Pamela
1756 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) 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
1576 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Diane
1513 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) 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
1496 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) 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.
Donna
1472 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) 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.
Sandra
1408 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) 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.
Carol
1394 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) 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".
Sharon
1229 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) 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
1206 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Cheryl
966 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) 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.
Denise
933 baby girls born in Illinois (1954) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1954

In Illinois in 1954, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, Robert, James, John, and David. Michael was the most popular name with 5698 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 4947 babies. James, John, and David rounded out the top five with 4896, 4777, and 4305 babies given those names, respectively.

Michael

5698 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) 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

4947 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) 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

4896 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

4777 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) 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

4305 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) 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.
William
3360 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) 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.
Richard
3275 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
3135 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) 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
2413 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Mark
2403 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) 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.
Gary
2080 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) 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.
Charles
1745 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) 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.
Joseph
1679 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Donald
1586 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
1568 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Daniel
1567 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Kenneth
1486 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
1391 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) 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.
Gregory
1306 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".
Jeffrey
1238 baby boys born in Illinois (1954) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.