Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1955

In the year 1955, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in the popularity of traditional baby names. The top baby girl names were Susan, Mary, and Deborah, while the top baby boy names were John, Robert, and David.

Susan, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily," was the most popular baby girl name in Massachusetts in 1955. Mary, a name of biblical origin meaning "bitter," was a close second, followed by Deborah, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee." For baby boys, John, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious," was the most popular, followed by Robert, a name of Germanic origin meaning "bright fame," and David, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved." These classic names continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1955

In Massachusetts in 1955, the most popular baby girl name was Susan with 2099 babies given that name. The second most popular name was Mary with 1882 babies, followed by Deborah with 1741 babies. Patricia was the fourth most popular name with 1681 babies, and Linda rounded out the top five with 1586 babies given that name.

Susan

2099 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) 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

1882 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) 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.
Deborah

1741 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) 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.
Patricia

1681 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) 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

1586 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) 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."
Donna
1435 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) 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.
Nancy
1391 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Debra
1324 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Kathleen
1249 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Karen
1182 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Diane
1091 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) 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
814 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) 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
799 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) 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".
Elizabeth
731 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) 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.
Cheryl
726 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) 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.
Cynthia
686 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) 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.
Judith
622 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Sandra
601 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) 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.
Pamela
594 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) 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).
Janet
585 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1955) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1955

In 1955, the most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts were John, Robert, David, Michael, and James. John was the most popular name with 3358 babies being named John. Robert came in a close second with 3287 babies being named Robert. David was the third most popular name with 2885 babies being named David. Michael and James rounded out the top five with 2859 and 2402 babies being named Michael and James respectively.

John

3358 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) 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

3287 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) 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.
David

2885 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) 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

2859 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) 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

2402 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard
2283 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William
1976 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) 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
1949 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) 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
1598 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) 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.
Mark
1537 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) 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
1458 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) 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
1408 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Steven
1211 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Peter
1010 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) 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.
Kevin
905 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) 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".
Edward
903 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) 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".
Daniel
892 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Gary
850 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) 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
757 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) 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
734 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1955) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".