Illinois's most popular baby names in 1955

The year 1955 was a time of great change and growth in the state of Illinois, and this was reflected in the most popular baby names of the year. For baby girls, Mary remained the top name, reflecting its long-standing popularity as a classic and timeless choice. However, new names were also making their mark, with Debra and Susan joining the top ranks as parents embraced more modern and contemporary options.

For baby boys, Michael took the top spot, reflecting its growing popularity across the country as a strong and traditional name. John and James also remained popular choices, reflecting their long-standing appeal as classic and timeless options for boys. Overall, the top baby names of 1955 in Illinois reflected a mix of tradition and modernity, as parents sought to balance their desire for classic names with their interest in more contemporary options.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1955

In Illinois, 1955, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, with 4100 babies being given this name. Debra came in second, with 3258 babies being named this. Susan was the third most popular name, with 2999 babies being named this. Linda was the fourth most popular name, with 2833 babies being given this name. Deborah rounded out the top five, with 2739 babies being named this.

Mary

4100 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) 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.
Debra

3258 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Susan

2999 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) 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

2833 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) 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

2739 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) 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
2673 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) 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.
Nancy
2122 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Karen
1987 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Barbara
1958 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) 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.
Pamela
1675 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) 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).
Diane
1553 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) 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".
Donna
1545 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) 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.
Cynthia
1502 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) 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.
Kathleen
1500 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Sandra
1419 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) 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
1390 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) 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
1213 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) 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
1185 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Cheryl
1019 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) 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
1005 baby girls born in Illinois (1955) 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 1955

In Illinois in 1955, the most popular baby boy names were Michael, John, James, David, and Robert. Michael was the most popular name with 5899 babies given that name, followed by John with 4804 babies, James with 4783 babies, David with 4749 babies, and Robert with 4721 babies. These names were all traditional and timeless choices for parents at the time.

Michael

5899 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) 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

4804 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) 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

4783 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David

4749 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) 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

4721 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) 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
3379 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) 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
3105 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) 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.
Richard
2987 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Mark
2742 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) 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.
Steven
2540 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Gary
1849 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) 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.
Daniel
1777 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Joseph
1717 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Charles
1680 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) 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.
Donald
1559 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
1532 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Paul
1417 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) 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
1405 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".
Jeffrey
1401 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Kenneth
1389 baby boys born in Illinois (1955) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".