Minnesota's most popular baby names in 1961

In the year 1961, the state of Minnesota witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Susan, and Lori emerged as the top three most popular names for baby girls, while David, Michael, and Mark were the most preferred names for baby boys.

Mary, a classic name with biblical roots, held the top spot for baby girls for the third year in a row. Susan, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "graceful lily," followed closely behind. Lori, a shortened version of the name Lorraine, completed the top three. On the boys' side, David, a name with Hebrew origins meaning "beloved," held the top spot. Michael, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God," and Mark, a name of Latin origin meaning "warlike," followed closely behind. These names reflect the trends and preferences of parents in Minnesota in the early 1960s.

Most popular baby girl names in Minnesota in 1961

In 1961, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Minnesota with 1327 occurrences. Susan followed closely behind with 1074 occurrences, and Lori came in third with 986 occurrences. Julie and Lisa rounded out the top five with 921 and 834 occurrences respectively. These were the most popular names given to baby girls in Minnesota during that year.

Mary

1327 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) 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

1074 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
Lori

986 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) named Lori
The name Lori is a short form of the name Lorraine or Laurence. Its origin and meaning are uncertain, but it is believed to have French or Latin roots. Some sources suggest that it may mean "crowned with laurel" or "victorious." However, the exact meaning of the name Lori remains unknown.
Julie

921 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) 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".
Lisa

834 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Karen
681 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Linda
655 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) 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."
Barbara
601 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
Nancy
597 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Debra
582 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Brenda
581 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
Sandra
500 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) 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
482 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) 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).
Patricia
464 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
Diane
455 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) 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".
Cheryl
430 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) 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
410 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
Laurie
402 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) named Laurie
The name Laurie is a diminutive form of the name Laura, which means "bay laurel" or "crowned with laurel".
Michelle
398 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
Dawn
390 baby girls born in Minnesota (1961) 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".

Most popular baby boy names in Minnesota in 1961

In Minnesota in 1961, the most popular baby boy names were David, Michael, Mark, John, and James. David was the most popular name with 1928 babies given that name. Michael came in second with 1707 babies, followed closely by Mark with 1607 babies. John and James rounded out the top five with 1511 and 1343 babies respectively. These names were likely popular due to their classic and timeless nature.

David

1928 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) 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

1707 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
Mark

1607 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
John

1511 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
James

1343 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Scott
1176 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
Robert
1157 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
Steven
1080 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Thomas
1079 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
Jeffrey
936 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Daniel
931 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Timothy
877 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
Kevin
852 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) 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".
Paul
842 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
Brian
779 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
Richard
733 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Todd
649 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) named Todd
The name Todd is of English origin and means "fox". It was originally a surname before becoming a first name.
William
594 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) 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.
Gregory
569 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".
Gary
472 baby boys born in Minnesota (1961) 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.