Indiana's most popular baby names in 1959

In 1959, the state of Indiana saw a surge in the popularity of traditional baby names. Mary, Karen, and Susan were the top three most popular baby girl names, while David, Michael, and James were the most popular baby boy names. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Mary, the top baby girl name in Indiana in 1959, has been a favorite for centuries. Its biblical origin and classic sound make it a timeless choice. Karen and Susan, the second and third most popular baby girl names, also have a classic feel to them. On the boys' side, David, Michael, and James have been popular for decades and continue to be strong choices for parents. These names have a strong and traditional sound that appeals to many families.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1959

Based on data from 1959, the top five most popular baby girl names in Indiana were Mary, Karen, Susan, Linda, and Debra. Mary was the most popular name, with 1284 babies given this name. Karen and Susan followed closely behind with 1085 and 1013 babies given these names, respectively. Linda and Debra rounded out the top five with 965 and 956 babies given these names, respectively.

Mary

1284 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Karen

1085 baby girls born in Indiana (1959) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Susan

1013 baby girls born in Indiana (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

965 baby girls born in Indiana (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."
Debra

956 baby girls born in Indiana (1959) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Lisa
871 baby girls born in Indiana (1959) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Pamela
858 baby girls born in Indiana (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).
Brenda
809 baby girls born in Indiana (1959) 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.
Cynthia
800 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Donna
791 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Kathy
750 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Patricia
717 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Teresa
712 baby girls born in Indiana (1959) 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.
Deborah
678 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Cheryl
664 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Debbie
645 baby girls born in Indiana (1959) named Debbie
The name Debbie is a diminutive form of the name Deborah. It is of Hebrew origin and means "bee".
Barbara
622 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Nancy
609 baby girls born in Indiana (1959) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Julie
589 baby girls born in Indiana (1959) 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".
Kimberly
567 baby girls born in Indiana (1959) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1959

In 1959, the most popular baby boy names in Indiana were David, Michael, James, Mark, and John. David was the most popular name with 2393 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 2205. James came in third with 2098, followed by Mark with 1994 and John with 1840. These classic names continue to be popular choices for baby boys today.

David

2393 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Michael

2205 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
James

2098 baby boys born in Indiana (1959) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Mark

1994 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
John

1840 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Robert
1821 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
William
1211 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Timothy
1181 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Jeffrey
1133 baby boys born in Indiana (1959) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Richard
1109 baby boys born in Indiana (1959) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kevin
1022 baby boys born in Indiana (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".
Thomas
990 baby boys born in Indiana (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
985 baby boys born in Indiana (1959) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Brian
822 baby boys born in Indiana (1959) 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
809 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Donald
742 baby boys born in Indiana (1959) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Daniel
709 baby boys born in Indiana (1959) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Gregory
690 baby boys born in Indiana (1959) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".
Ronald
682 baby boys born in Indiana (1959) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Gary
639 baby boys born in Indiana (1959) 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.