In the year 1958, the state of Indiana saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Karen, and Debra emerged as the top three names for baby girls, with Michael, David, and James taking the lead for baby boys. These names were not only popular in Indiana, but across the United States as well.
Mary, a classic name with biblical origins, has been a popular choice for baby girls for centuries. Karen, a name with Danish roots meaning "pure," gained popularity in the mid-20th century. Debra, a name with Hebrew origins meaning "bee," was also a popular choice for baby girls in Indiana in 1958. Meanwhile, Michael, David, and James, all names with strong biblical connections, were the top choices for baby boys. These names continue to be popular today, proving that they truly stand the test of time.
In Indiana in 1958, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with a total of 1354 babies given that name. Following Mary were Karen with 1116 babies, Debra with 1115 babies, Susan with 1103 babies, and Linda with 1038 babies. These five names were the most popular choices for parents of baby girls in Indiana during that year.
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.
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
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.
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."
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).
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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".
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
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.
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.
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
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.
The name Debbie is a diminutive form of the name Deborah. It is of Hebrew origin and means "bee".
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.
In 1958, the most popular baby boy names in Indiana were Michael, David, James, John, and Mark. Michael was the most popular name with 2453 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 2446. James, John, and Mark rounded out the top five with 2012, 1900, and 1866 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional family naming customs.
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.
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.
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
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.
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.
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.
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
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.
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
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".
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.
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
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.
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.
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".