Missouri's most popular baby names in 1950

The year 1950 saw an interesting mix of classic and modern baby names in the state of Missouri. For baby girls, Linda took the top spot, followed closely by Mary and Patricia. These timeless names have been popular for generations and continue to be beloved choices for parents today.

On the boys' side, James claimed the number one spot, with Robert and Michael not far behind. These names also have a long history of popularity, but with a more modern twist. Parents in Missouri in 1950 clearly had a range of styles and preferences, but ultimately chose names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1950

In 1950, the most popular baby girl name in Missouri was Linda, with 2309 babies being given this name. Mary was the second most popular name, with 1817 babies, followed by Patricia with 1253 babies. Barbara came in fourth place with 1056 babies, and Sharon rounded out the top five with 910 babies. These five names were the most common choices for parents in Missouri during that year.

Linda

2309 baby girls born in Missouri (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

1817 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Patricia

1253 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Barbara

1056 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Sharon

910 baby girls born in Missouri (1950) named Sharon
The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.
Deborah
862 baby girls born in Missouri (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
751 baby girls born in Missouri (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".
Donna
750 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Susan
739 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Sandra
728 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Nancy
717 baby girls born in Missouri (1950) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Karen
683 baby girls born in Missouri (1950) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Brenda
673 baby girls born in Missouri (1950) 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.
Kathleen
585 baby girls born in Missouri (1950) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Janet
556 baby girls born in Missouri (1950) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Carolyn
501 baby girls born in Missouri (1950) named Carolyn
The name Carolyn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a variant of Caroline, which is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "strong". The name Carolyn has been in use since the 19th century and has been a popular name for girls in the United States.
Pamela
496 baby girls born in Missouri (1950) 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).
Judith
473 baby girls born in Missouri (1950) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Janice
472 baby girls born in Missouri (1950) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Shirley
436 baby girls born in Missouri (1950) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.

Most popular baby boy names in Missouri in 1950

In Missouri, 1950, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, Michael, John, and David. James was the most popular name with 2195 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 2023 babies, and Michael with 2000 babies. John and David rounded out the top five with 1923 and 1557 babies respectively. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be popular choices for baby boys today.

James

2195 baby boys born in Missouri (1950) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

2023 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Michael

2000 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
John

1923 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
David

1557 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
William
1401 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Gary
1249 baby boys born in Missouri (1950) 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.
Richard
1199 baby boys born in Missouri (1950) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Larry
1086 baby boys born in Missouri (1950) named Larry
The name Larry is a shortened form of the name Lawrence, which comes from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages due to the fame of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron. The name Larry has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been a popular name in the United States.
Thomas
1003 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Charles
997 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Ronald
853 baby boys born in Missouri (1950) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
784 baby boys born in Missouri (1950) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Dennis
767 baby boys born in Missouri (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
694 baby boys born in Missouri (1950) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Stephen
687 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Kenneth
674 baby boys born in Missouri (1950) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Joseph
514 baby boys born in Missouri (1950) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jerry
491 baby boys born in Missouri (1950) named Jerry
The name Jerry is a diminutive form of the name Gerald or Gerard, which means "ruler with a spear" or "brave with a spear" respectively. It is of Old German origin.
Terry
475 baby boys born in Missouri (1950) named Terry
The name Terry is a unisex name of English origin, derived from the name Terence. The meaning of the name Terry is "smooth, tender".