Indiana's most popular baby names in 1957

In the year 1957, the state of Indiana witnessed a surge in the popularity of some of the most classic and timeless baby names. Topping the list of baby girl names were Mary, Debra, and Cynthia, while Michael, David, and James were the most popular baby boy names.

Mary, a name that has been a favorite for centuries, held on to its position as the most popular baby girl name in Indiana. Debra and Cynthia, two names that were gaining popularity in the 1950s, followed closely behind. For baby boys, Michael, David, and James were the top choices, reflecting a preference for strong and traditional names. These names continue to be popular even today, proving that some names never go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1957

In 1957, the most popular baby girl names in Indiana were Mary, Debra, Cynthia, Linda, and Karen. Mary was the most popular name with 1477 babies named Mary. Debra came in a close second with 1462 babies named Debra, followed by Cynthia with 1208 babies. Linda and Karen rounded out the top five with 1175 and 1132 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

  1. Mary

    1477 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  2. Debra

    1462 baby girls born in Indiana (1957) named Debra

    The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.

  3. Cynthia

    1208 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  4. Linda

    1175 baby girls born in Indiana (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."

  5. Karen

    1132 baby girls born in Indiana (1957) named Karen

    Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

  6. Susan

    1097 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  7. Deborah

    1045 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  8. Pamela

    902 baby girls born in Indiana (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).

  9. Brenda

    886 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  10. Patricia

    881 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  11. Nancy

    785 baby girls born in Indiana (1957) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  12. Kathy

    765 baby girls born in Indiana (1957) 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.

  13. Cindy

    734 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  14. Teresa

    724 baby girls born in Indiana (1957) named Teresa

    The name Teresa is derived from the Greek name Therasia, which means "harvester" or "reaper". It has also been associated with the Spanish word "teresa", meaning "to harvest". The name has been popularized by Saint Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic and writer who lived in the 16th century. The name is commonly given to girls and is of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian origin.

  15. Cheryl

    679 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  16. Barbara

    660 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  17. Donna

    629 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  18. Sandra

    600 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

  19. Carol

    595 baby girls born in Indiana (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".

  20. Rebecca

    538 baby girls born in Indiana (1957) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1957

Based on the data from 1957, the most popular baby boy names in Indiana were Michael, David, James, Robert, and John. Michael was the most popular name with 2564 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 2505 babies. James, Robert, and John were also popular choices with 2242, 2033, and 1925 babies given those names, respectively.

  1. Michael

    2564 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  2. David

    2505 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  3. James

    2242 baby boys born in Indiana (1957) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  4. Robert

    2033 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  5. John

    1925 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  6. Mark

    1855 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  7. William

    1433 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  8. Richard

    1318 baby boys born in Indiana (1957) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  9. Thomas

    1228 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  10. Steven

    1159 baby boys born in Indiana (1957) named Steven

    The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.

  11. Jeffrey

    1048 baby boys born in Indiana (1957) named Jeffrey

    The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.

  12. Timothy

    964 baby boys born in Indiana (1957) 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.

  13. Kevin

    963 baby boys born in Indiana (1957) named Kevin

    The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name CaoimhĂ­n, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".

  14. Charles

    917 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  15. Ronald

    859 baby boys born in Indiana (1957) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  16. Gary

    829 baby boys born in Indiana (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.

  17. Donald

    816 baby boys born in Indiana (1957) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  18. Daniel

    781 baby boys born in Indiana (1957) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  19. Gregory

    771 baby boys born in Indiana (1957) named Gregory

    The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".

  20. Kenneth

    706 baby boys born in Indiana (1957) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".