Illinois's most popular baby names in 1961

In 1961, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary was the most popular name, followed closely by Susan and Lisa. Mary, a timeless and classic name, has been a popular choice for centuries and continues to be a beloved name for parents today. Susan and Lisa, both names with a more modern feel, were also popular choices for parents in Illinois in 1961.

On the boys' side, Michael was the most popular name in Illinois in 1961, followed by John and David. Michael, a name with Hebrew origins meaning "who is like God," has been a popular choice for boys for decades and continues to be a top choice for parents. John and David, both names with strong Biblical roots, were also popular choices for parents in Illinois in 1961. These timeless names continue to be popular choices for parents today, demonstrating the lasting appeal of classic names.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1961

According to the data from 1961, the most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Mary, Susan, Lisa, Linda, and Karen. Mary was the most popular name with 3156 babies being given the name. Susan was the second most popular name with 2362 babies, followed by Lisa with 2172 babies. Linda and Karen were also popular names with 2162 and 2029 babies respectively. These names were chosen by parents in Illinois for their baby girls in 1961.

Mary

3156 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) 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

2362 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) 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.
Lisa

2172 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Linda

2162 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) 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

2029 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Patricia
1642 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) 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.
Laura
1509 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) 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.
Donna
1467 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) 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
1419 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) 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
1369 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) 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.
Sandra
1341 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) 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.
Nancy
1341 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Debra
1341 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Barbara
1292 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) 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.
Lori
1265 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) named Lori
The name Lori is a short form of the name Lorraine or Laurence. Its origin and meaning are uncertain, but it is believed to have French or Latin roots. Some sources suggest that it may mean "crowned with laurel" or "victorious." However, the exact meaning of the name Lori remains unknown.
Julie
1259 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) named Julie
The name Julie is a French name that means "youthful" or "full of energy". It is derived from the Latin name Julia, which means "soft-haired" or "youthful".
Pamela
1243 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) 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
1166 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Kimberly
1134 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) named Kimberly
The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.
Sharon
1119 baby girls born in Illinois (1961) 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 1961

In 1961, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Michael, John, David, James, and Robert. Michael was the most popular name with 5406 babies given that name, followed by John with 4775 babies, David with 4722 babies, James with 4346 babies, and Robert with 4151 babies. These names were popular choices for parents in Illinois during that year.

Michael

5406 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) 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

4775 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) 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

4722 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) 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.
James

4346 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

4151 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) 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
3527 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) 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
2605 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) 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
2482 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) 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
2235 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Richard
2197 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Jeffrey
1914 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Kevin
1866 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) 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".
Daniel
1824 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Timothy
1718 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) 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.
Joseph
1698 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Scott
1557 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) 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.
Brian
1487 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) named Brian
The name Brian is of Irish origin and means "strong, virtuous, and honorable". It is a popular name for boys in Ireland and has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.
Charles
1467 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) 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
1463 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Gregory
1335 baby boys born in Illinois (1961) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".