Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1953

In 1953, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in popularity for certain baby names. For baby girls, Susan, Mary, and Patricia were the most popular names, while for baby boys, Robert, John, and Michael topped the charts. These names were chosen by parents from all walks of life, and were inspired by a variety of sources, including family traditions, popular culture, and religious beliefs.

Susan, Mary, and Patricia were classic names that had been popular for generations, and continued to be so in 1953. Robert, John, and Michael were also traditional names that had been popular for decades, and were chosen by parents who valued strong, masculine names for their sons. Overall, the most popular baby names in Massachusetts in 1953 reflected the values and traditions of the time, and continue to be beloved names to this day.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1953

In Massachusetts in 1953, the most popular baby girl names were Susan, Mary, Patricia, Linda, and Deborah. Susan was the most popular name with 1922 babies given that name. Mary and Patricia were close behind with 1754 and 1734 babies respectively. Linda and Deborah rounded out the top 5 with 1660 and 1552 babies given those names. These were the most common names for baby girls born in Massachusetts during that year.

Susan

1922 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
Mary

1754 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
Patricia

1734 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
Linda

1660 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) 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."
Deborah

1552 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
Kathleen
1303 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Nancy
1252 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Donna
1210 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
Karen
1049 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Diane
981 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) 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".
Barbara
921 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
Carol
808 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) 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".
Debra
792 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Cynthia
748 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
Elizabeth
666 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
Judith
645 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Sandra
613 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
Janet
597 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Denise
571 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) named Denise
The name Denise is of French origin and is derived from the name Denis, which means "follower of Dionysius." Dionysius was the Greek god of wine, fertility, and theater. The name Denise was popularized in the 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Joanne
565 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1953) named Joanne
The name Joanne is a variant of the name Joan, which is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1953

In 1953, Massachusetts saw the most popular baby boy names as Robert, John, Michael, Richard, and David. Robert was the most popular name with 3413 babies being named so, followed by John with 3211 babies. Michael, Richard, and David were also popular choices with 2582, 2456, and 2407 babies being named respectively. These classic and timeless names continue to be popular choices for baby boys today.

Robert

3413 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) 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

3211 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
Michael

2582 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
Richard

2456 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David

2407 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
James
2357 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William
2097 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
Paul
1867 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) 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
1621 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) 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
1478 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) 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
1354 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Mark
1014 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
Steven
1002 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Peter
957 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
Edward
880 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) 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".
Gary
854 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) 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.
Charles
817 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) 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
785 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Daniel
741 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Kevin
727 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1953) 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".