Illinois's most popular baby names in 1959

In the year 1959, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of traditional baby names. Mary, Susan, and Linda were the top three most popular names for baby girls, while Michael, John, and James were the top three most popular names for baby boys.

Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries, held the top spot for baby girls in Illinois in 1959. Susan, another timeless name, came in at a close second, followed by Linda, a name that gained popularity in the mid-twentieth century. For baby boys, Michael, a name with Hebrew origins meaning "who is like God," was the most popular. John, a name with biblical roots, came in second, followed by James, a name that has been popular since the Middle Ages. Overall, these names reflect a desire for traditional, classic names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1959

In 1959, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Illinois with a total of 3,697 newborns given this name. The following four most popular names were Susan (2,705), Linda (2,405), Karen (2,283), and Patricia (2,061). These names were all very popular choices for parents of baby girls in Illinois during that year.

Mary

3697 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) 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

2705 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) 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

2405 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) 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."
Karen

2283 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Patricia

2061 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) 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.
Debra
1955 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Donna
1783 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) 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
1747 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) 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.
Deborah
1602 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) 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
1480 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Pamela
1448 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) 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).
Barbara
1415 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) 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.
Diane
1369 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) 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".
Sandra
1310 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) 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.
Kathleen
1303 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Laura
1242 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) named Laura
The name Laura is of Latin origin and means "bay laurel". It was a symbol of victory and honor in ancient Rome. The name has been popular in many countries and cultures throughout history.
Cheryl
1227 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) 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.
Kathy
1216 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) named Kathy
The name Kathy is a diminutive form of the name Katherine, which means "pure" or "clear". It is of Greek origin and has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Lisa
1213 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Sharon
1199 baby girls born in Illinois (1959) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1959

In 1959, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Michael, John, James, David, and Robert. Michael was the most popular name with a total of 5,717 babies given that name. John and James followed closely with 4,649 and 4,631 babies respectively. David and Robert rounded out the top five with 4,626 and 4,225 babies given those names. These classic and timeless names continue to be popular choices for baby boys today.

Michael

5717 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) 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

4649 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) 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

4631 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David

4626 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) 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

4225 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) 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.
Mark
3365 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) 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
2887 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) 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
2667 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
2626 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) 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
2293 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Kevin
1893 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) 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".
Timothy
1834 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) named Timothy
The name Timothy is of Greek origin and means "honoring God" or "one who honors God". It is derived from the Greek name Timotheos, which is a combination of the words "timao" meaning to honor and "theos" meaning God.
Daniel
1763 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Jeffrey
1711 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Joseph
1697 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Charles
1552 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) 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.
Kenneth
1498 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Scott
1462 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) named Scott
The name Scott is of Scottish origin and means "from Scotland" or "wanderer". It is a common surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century.
Paul
1442 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) 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.
Donald
1429 baby boys born in Illinois (1959) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".