Indiana's most popular baby names in 1953

In the year 1953, the state of Indiana witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Linda, Deborah, and Mary emerged as the most popular baby girl names, while Michael, David, and James were the top baby boy names.

Linda, with its Germanic roots, means "soft" or "tender" and was a popular choice for parents looking for a sweet and gentle name for their baby girl. Deborah, a Hebrew name meaning "bee," was another popular choice, followed closely by the classic name Mary, which has been a popular name for centuries. On the boy's side, Michael, meaning "who is like God," was the most popular name, followed by David, which means "beloved," and James, which has its roots in Hebrew and means "supplanter." These names continue to be popular even today, and are a testament to the enduring appeal of classic and timeless names.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1953

In Indiana in 1953, the most popular baby girl names were Linda, Deborah, Mary, Debra, and Patricia. Linda was the most popular name with 1579 babies given that name. Deborah came in second with 1553 babies, followed closely by Mary with 1525 babies. Debra was the fourth most popular name with 1360 babies, and Patricia rounded out the top five with 1254 babies given that name.

Linda

1579 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) 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

1553 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) 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.
Mary

1525 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) 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

1360 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Patricia

1254 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) 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.
Pamela
1102 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) 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).
Susan
1069 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) 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.
Karen
1012 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Barbara
869 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) 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
846 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Cynthia
753 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) 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.
Brenda
705 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) 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.
Sandra
697 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) 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.
Rebecca
665 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) named Rebecca
Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.
Sharon
648 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) 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.
Carol
647 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) 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".
Kathy
623 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) 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.
Donna
617 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) 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.
Janet
582 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Kathleen
539 baby girls born in Indiana (1953) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1953

According to records from 1953, the most popular baby boy names in Indiana were Michael, David, James, Robert, and John. Michael was the most popular name with 2580 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 2469 babies. James, Robert, and John rounded out the top five with 2250, 2203, and 2053 babies given those names, respectively. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be common choices for baby boys.

Michael

2580 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) 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.
David

2469 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) 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

2250 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

2203 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) 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.
John

2053 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) 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.
William
1593 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) 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
1559 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
1287 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) 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
1235 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Gary
1159 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) 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.
Mark
1134 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) 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.
Charles
1004 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) 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.
Dennis
891 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) named Dennis
The name Dennis is of Greek origin and means "follower of Dionysius", the Greek god of wine and fertility. It was a popular name in ancient Greece and was later adopted by the Romans. The name has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history.
Ronald
873 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Larry
870 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) named Larry
The name Larry is a shortened form of the name Lawrence, which comes from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages due to the fame of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron. The name Larry has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been a popular name in the United States.
Donald
817 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Daniel
734 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Stephen
687 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) named Stephen
The name Stephen means "crown" or "garland" in Greek. It is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, which was a common name among early Christians due to its association with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Paul
668 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) 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.
Kenneth
649 baby boys born in Indiana (1953) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".