Maine's most popular baby names in 1956

In the year 1956, the state of Maine saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Susan, Linda, and Debra were the most commonly chosen names by parents. These names were not only popular in Maine, but across the United States as well.

For baby boys, Michael, David, and Robert were the top picks in Maine. These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today. It is interesting to see how certain names have remained popular over the years, while others have fallen out of favor. The names chosen by parents in 1956 give us a glimpse into the trends and preferences of that time period.

Most popular baby girl names in Maine in 1956

In 1956, the most popular baby girl names in Maine were Susan, Linda, Debra, Deborah, and Mary. Susan was the most popular name with 357 babies given that name, followed by Linda with 290 babies. Debra was the third most popular name with 284 babies, followed closely by Deborah with 270 babies. Mary rounded out the top five with 239 babies given that name.

Susan

357 baby girls born in Maine (1956) 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

290 baby girls born in Maine (1956) 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

284 baby girls born in Maine (1956) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Deborah

270 baby girls born in Maine (1956) 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

239 baby girls born in Maine (1956) 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.
Diane
210 baby girls born in Maine (1956) named Diane
Diane is a feminine given name of French origin. The name is derived from the Roman goddess Diana, who was the goddess of hunting, the moon, and childbirth. The name Diane means "divine" or "heavenly".
Nancy
207 baby girls born in Maine (1956) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Karen
190 baby girls born in Maine (1956) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Cynthia
188 baby girls born in Maine (1956) 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.
Patricia
179 baby girls born in Maine (1956) 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
171 baby girls born in Maine (1956) 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).
Donna
169 baby girls born in Maine (1956) 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.
Sandra
150 baby girls born in Maine (1956) 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.
Barbara
143 baby girls born in Maine (1956) 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.
Brenda
138 baby girls born in Maine (1956) 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.
Carol
133 baby girls born in Maine (1956) 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".
Sharon
122 baby girls born in Maine (1956) 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.
Cheryl
116 baby girls born in Maine (1956) 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.
Kathleen
114 baby girls born in Maine (1956) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Kathy
105 baby girls born in Maine (1956) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Maine in 1956

In 1956, the most popular baby boy names in Maine were Michael, David, Robert, John, and Richard. Michael was the most popular name with 543 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 509 babies. Robert, John, and Richard were also popular names with 450, 406, and 377 babies given those names, respectively. These classic and timeless names have remained popular choices for parents over the years.

Michael

543 baby boys born in Maine (1956) 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

509 baby boys born in Maine (1956) 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.
Robert

450 baby boys born in Maine (1956) 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

406 baby boys born in Maine (1956) 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.
Richard

377 baby boys born in Maine (1956) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
James
320 baby boys born in Maine (1956) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Mark
269 baby boys born in Maine (1956) 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.
Stephen
254 baby boys born in Maine (1956) 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.
William
232 baby boys born in Maine (1956) 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.
Steven
224 baby boys born in Maine (1956) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Daniel
214 baby boys born in Maine (1956) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Paul
203 baby boys born in Maine (1956) 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.
Thomas
199 baby boys born in Maine (1956) 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.
Gary
185 baby boys born in Maine (1956) 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.
Jeffrey
182 baby boys born in Maine (1956) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Peter
175 baby boys born in Maine (1956) named Peter
The name Peter is derived from the Greek name Petros, meaning "rock" or "stone". It is a common name in many cultures and languages, and is often associated with qualities such as strength, stability, and steadfastness.
Ronald
174 baby boys born in Maine (1956) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Timothy
163 baby boys born in Maine (1956) 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.
Donald
160 baby boys born in Maine (1956) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Bruce
142 baby boys born in Maine (1956) named Bruce
The name Bruce is of Scottish origin and means "from the brushwood thicket".