Illinois's most popular baby names in 1957

In the year 1957, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. Mary, a classic name with biblical roots, topped the list of most popular baby girl names. Susan and Debra followed closely behind, both names with English origins that have remained popular over the years.

For baby boys, the top names were Michael, James, and John. These names have been popular for decades and continue to be popular choices for parents today. Whether it's the strong, masculine sound of Michael or the timeless simplicity of John, these names have stood the test of time and remain popular choices for parents in Illinois and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1957

In 1957, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Illinois with a total of 3996 babies being named Mary. The next four most popular names were Susan (2875), Debra (2781), Karen (2521), and Linda (2505). These five names accounted for a significant portion of the baby girl names given in Illinois that year.

Mary

3996 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) 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.
Susan

2875 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) 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

2781 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Karen

2521 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Linda

2505 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) 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."
Cynthia
2371 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) 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.
Patricia
2325 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) 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.
Deborah
2058 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) 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.
Nancy
1892 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Barbara
1744 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) 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
1540 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) 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).
Donna
1500 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) 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.
Diane
1491 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) 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".
Kathleen
1483 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Sharon
1423 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) 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.
Sandra
1343 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) 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
1341 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) 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".
Cheryl
1317 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) 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.
Brenda
1128 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) named Brenda
The name Brenda is of Old Norse origin and means "sword" or "torch". It was popularized in the 20th century as a given name, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.
Cindy
1016 baby girls born in Illinois (1957) named Cindy
The name Cindy is a diminutive form of the name Cynthia, which means "moon goddess" in Greek. It is also sometimes considered a nickname for the name Lucinda, which means "light" in Spanish.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1957

In 1957, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Michael, James, John, Robert, and David. Michael was the most popular with 6221 babies given that name, followed by James with 5038 babies, John with 4814 babies, Robert with 4643 babies, and David with 4479 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

Michael

6221 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) 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.
James

5038 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

4814 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) 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.
Robert

4643 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) 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.
David

4479 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) 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.
Mark
3373 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) 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
3205 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) 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
3028 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) 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
2906 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Steven
2617 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Kevin
1825 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) 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".
Joseph
1819 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Daniel
1789 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Charles
1742 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) 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
1660 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Kenneth
1581 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Donald
1572 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Gary
1552 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) 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.
Jeffrey
1537 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Gregory
1470 baby boys born in Illinois (1957) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".