Indiana's most popular baby names in 1961

In the year 1961, the state of Indiana saw a surge in the number of babies being born, and with each birth came the important task of selecting a name. Among the most popular names for baby girls were Lisa, Mary, and Karen, while the top names for baby boys were David, Michael, and James.

Lisa, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my oath," topped the charts for baby girls in Indiana in 1961. It was followed closely by Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries and means "bitter" or "beloved." Karen, a name of Danish origin meaning "pure," also made the top three. For baby boys, David, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved," was the most popular choice, followed by Michael, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God," and James, a name of English origin meaning "supplanter." These names continue to be popular choices for parents today, reflecting their timeless appeal and enduring popularity.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1961

According to data from 1961, the most popular baby girl names in Indiana were Lisa, Mary, Karen, Susan, and Linda. Lisa was the most popular name with 1469 babies given that name, followed by Mary with 1151, and then Karen and Susan tied with 941 each. Linda rounded out the top five with 919 babies given that name.

Lisa

1469 baby girls born in Indiana (1961) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Mary

1151 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Karen

941 baby girls born in Indiana (1961) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Susan

941 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Linda

919 baby girls born in Indiana (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."
Teresa
781 baby girls born in Indiana (1961) 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.
Brenda
763 baby girls born in Indiana (1961) 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.
Kimberly
718 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Lori
676 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Pamela
675 baby girls born in Indiana (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).
Debra
658 baby girls born in Indiana (1961) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Cynthia
642 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Kathy
638 baby girls born in Indiana (1961) 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.
Julie
618 baby girls born in Indiana (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".
Donna
571 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Cheryl
563 baby girls born in Indiana (1961) 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.
Laura
554 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Barbara
548 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Patricia
547 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Deborah
546 baby girls born in Indiana (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1961

In Indiana in 1961, the most popular baby boy names were David, Michael, James, Mark, and John. David was the most popular name with 2444 babies given that name, followed by Michael with 2215 babies named Michael. James, Mark, and John were also very popular names, with 1972, 1909, and 1890 babies respectively given those names. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional family naming conventions.

David

2444 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Michael

2215 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
James

1972 baby boys born in Indiana (1961) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Mark

1909 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
John

1890 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Robert
1669 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Jeffrey
1248 baby boys born in Indiana (1961) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
William
1171 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Timothy
1050 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Kevin
1049 baby boys born in Indiana (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".
Richard
1014 baby boys born in Indiana (1961) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
941 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Brian
913 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Steven
850 baby boys born in Indiana (1961) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Gregory
740 baby boys born in Indiana (1961) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".
Charles
735 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Scott
702 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Donald
695 baby boys born in Indiana (1961) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Daniel
670 baby boys born in Indiana (1961) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Gary
637 baby boys born in Indiana (1961) 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.