Missouri's most popular baby names in 1956

In the year 1956, the state of Missouri saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Deborah, and Linda topped the charts for baby girl names, with Michael, James, and Robert being the most commonly chosen names for baby boys.

Mary, a classic name with biblical roots, has remained a popular choice for baby girls throughout history. Deborah, meaning "bee," also has a strong biblical connection and was a trendy name in the 1950s. Linda, on the other hand, was a more modern name in the 1950s and means "pretty" or "beautiful." As for baby boys, Michael, James, and Robert were all traditional names with a long history of popularity. Michael, meaning "who is like God," has consistently been one of the most popular boy names in the United States. James, meaning "supplanter," is another classic name with enduring appeal. Robert, meaning "bright fame," was also a favorite in the 1950s and remains a popular choice today.

Most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1956

According to the records of 1956, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls in Missouri, with 1724 babies being named Mary. Deborah was the second most popular name with 1367 babies, followed by Linda with 1260 babies. Debra was the fourth most popular name with 1210 babies, and Patricia rounded out the top five with 1096 babies. These names were the most common choices for parents in Missouri when naming their baby girls in 1956.

Mary

1724 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) 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

1367 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) 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.
Linda

1260 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) 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."
Debra

1210 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Patricia

1096 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) 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.
Susan
1036 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) 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.
Karen
1028 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Donna
852 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) 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.
Pamela
839 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) 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).
Cynthia
815 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) 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.
Barbara
751 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) 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
744 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) 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.
Nancy
681 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Brenda
655 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) 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.
Janet
569 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Sandra
568 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) 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.
Carol
562 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) 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".
Cheryl
550 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) 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.
Kathy
451 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) named Kathy
The name Kathy is a diminutive form of the name Katherine, which means "pure" or "clear". It is of Greek origin and has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Diane
440 baby girls born in Missouri (1956) 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".

Most popular baby boy names in Missouri in 1956

In Missouri in the year 1956, the top 5 most popular baby boy names were Michael, James, Robert, David, and John. Michael was the most popular name with 2300 babies given this name, followed closely by James with 2082 babies. Robert, David, and John were also popular choices with 1911, 1870, and 1865 babies given these names, respectively.

Michael

2300 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) 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

2082 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1911 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) 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

1870 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) 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

1865 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) 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.
Mark
1424 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) 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.
William
1278 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) 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.
Richard
1251 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Steven
1171 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Thomas
1008 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) 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.
Gary
921 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) 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
889 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) 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
790 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Larry
718 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) 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.
Dennis
708 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) 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.
Ronald
706 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Kevin
687 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) 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".
Daniel
684 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Kenneth
680 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Stephen
648 baby boys born in Missouri (1956) 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.