Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1950

In the year 1950, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls and boys. Linda, Mary, and Susan were the most popular names for baby girls, while Robert, John, and Richard topped the list for baby boys.

Linda, which means "pretty" or "soft," was the most popular name for baby girls in Massachusetts in 1950. Mary, a classic name that means "bitter" or "beloved," came in at a close second. Susan, which means "graceful lily," rounded out the top three names for baby girls in the state. Meanwhile, Robert, a name that means "bright fame," was the most popular name for baby boys in Massachusetts in 1950. John, which means "God is gracious," and Richard, which means "powerful ruler," were also popular choices for baby boys that year.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1950

In Massachusetts, 1950, Linda was the most popular baby girl name with 2109 babies given that name. Mary came in second with 1711 babies, followed by Susan with 1660 babies. Patricia was the fourth most popular name with 1493 babies, and Kathleen rounded out the top five with 1372 babies given that name.

Linda

2109 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) 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."
Mary

1711 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) 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.
Susan

1660 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) 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.
Patricia

1493 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) 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.
Kathleen

1372 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Nancy
1156 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Donna
1096 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) 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.
Barbara
1020 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) 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.
Deborah
947 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) 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.
Carol
923 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) 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".
Diane
840 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) 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".
Karen
782 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Judith
700 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Christine
684 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
Sandra
680 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) 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.
Elizabeth
641 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Janet
621 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Margaret
557 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janice
545 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Gail
502 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1950) named Gail
The name Gail is of English origin and means "lively or cheerful".

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1950

In Massachusetts, 1950, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, Richard, James, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 3212 babies being named that, followed closely by John with 3077 babies. Richard, James, and William were also popular names with 2251, 2213, and 2089 babies being named those names, respectively. These names were likely chosen due to their classic and traditional nature, as well as their popularity among previous generations.

Robert

3212 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) 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

3077 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) 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

2251 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
James

2213 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

2089 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) 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.
David
1927 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) 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
1866 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) 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.
Paul
1729 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) 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
1502 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) 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.
Stephen
1295 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) 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.
Joseph
1257 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Charles
942 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) 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.
Edward
928 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Peter
850 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) 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.
Donald
781 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Kenneth
755 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Ronald
732 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
George
674 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) named George
The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.
Dennis
666 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) named Dennis
The name Dennis is of Greek origin and means "follower of Dionysius", the Greek god of wine and fertility. It was a popular name in ancient Greece and was later adopted by the Romans. The name has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history.
Steven
645 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1950) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.