Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1972

In the year 1972, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Jennifer, Lisa, and Michelle were the top three names that parents chose for their newborns. Jennifer, which means "white wave" in Welsh, was the most popular name for girls in the state. Lisa, which means "God is my oath" in Hebrew, and Michelle, which means "who is like God" in French, followed closely behind.

For baby boys, Michael, Christopher, and David were the most popular names in Massachusetts. Michael, which means "who is like God" in Hebrew, was the top name for boys in the state. Christopher, which means "bearer of Christ" in Greek, and David, which means "beloved" in Hebrew, were also popular choices for parents. These names reflect the cultural and religious influences of the time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1972

According to the records of Massachusetts in 1972, the most popular baby girl names were Jennifer with 2075 occurrences, followed by Lisa with 901 occurrences, Michelle with 900 occurrences, Kimberly with 733 occurrences, and Amy with 684 occurrences. These were the top five names that parents chose for their baby girls in that year.

Jennifer

2075 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) named Jennifer
The name Jennifer is of Welsh origin and means "fair and smooth". It was first used as a given name in the United States in the 20th century and became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
Lisa

901 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Michelle

900 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) named Michelle
Michelle is a feminine given name of French origin. The name means "who is like God" or "gift from God." It is a variation of the name Michael, which comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God." The name Michelle has been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity over time.
Kimberly

733 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) 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.
Amy

684 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) named Amy
The name Amy means "beloved" or "dearly loved" in French and Latin. It is a popular name for girls and has been used since the Middle Ages.
Christine
605 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
Nicole
592 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) named Nicole
Nicole is a feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "victory of the people". It is a popular name in English-speaking countries and has been in use since the 1930s.
Melissa
585 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) named Melissa
The name Melissa is derived from the Greek word "melissa," which means "honey bee." It was a popular name in ancient Greece and is often associated with sweetness and industriousness.
Heather
554 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) named Heather
The name Heather is of English origin and is derived from the name of a flowering plant that grows in Scotland. The name is often associated with the color purple and is said to symbolize admiration, good luck, and protection.
Karen
461 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Julie
455 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) 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".
Susan
410 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) 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.
Elizabeth
403 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) 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.
Kelly
371 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) named Kelly
The name Kelly is of Irish origin and means "bright-headed" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls. The name has been popularized by its use as a surname and has been used as a given name since the 20th century.
Rebecca
363 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) named Rebecca
Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.
Dawn
352 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) named Dawn
The name Dawn means "the first appearance of light, daybreak" and is often given to girls born at or around sunrise. It is derived from the Old English word "dagian" which means "to become day".
Kathleen
337 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Laura
323 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) 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.
Stephanie
312 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) named Stephanie
The name Stephanie is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.
Mary
304 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1972) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1972

In Massachusetts in the year 1972, the most popular baby boy name was Michael, with 2218 babies being given that name. The following four most popular names were Christopher (1633), David (1431), John (1331), and Robert (1206). These names were the top choices for parents in the state during that year.

Michael

2218 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) 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.
Christopher

1633 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
David

1431 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) 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.
John

1331 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) 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

1206 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) 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.
James
1155 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Brian
1106 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) 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.
Jason
942 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Scott
879 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) 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.
Matthew
818 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
William
800 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) 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.
Joseph
759 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Mark
757 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) 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.
Richard
745 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Daniel
736 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Kevin
694 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) 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".
Eric
694 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) named Eric
The name Eric is of Scandinavian origin and means "eternal ruler" or "ruler of all". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Jeffrey
656 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Paul
626 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) 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
602 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1972) 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.