Missouri's most popular baby names in 1961

In the year 1961, the state of Missouri saw a surge in baby names that were both classic and timeless. The most popular baby girl names were Mary, Lisa, and Karen, while the top baby boy names were David, Michael, and John.

Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries, took the top spot for baby girls in Missouri in 1961. Lisa and Karen, two names that were also popular during this time, were close behind. For baby boys, David, a name that has been popular since biblical times, was the most popular, followed closely by Michael and John, two names that have remained popular over the years. These names reflect a desire for traditional and classic names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1961

According to data from 1961, the most popular baby girl names in Missouri were Mary, Lisa, Karen, Linda, and Susan. Mary was the most popular name with 1280 babies given that name, followed closely by Lisa with 1142 babies. Karen, Linda, and Susan were also popular choices for parents, with 900, 895, and 836 babies given those names, respectively.

Mary

1280 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Lisa

1142 baby girls born in Missouri (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

900 baby girls born in Missouri (1961) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Linda

895 baby girls born in Missouri (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."
Susan

836 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Donna
740 baby girls born in Missouri (1961) 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.
Brenda
664 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Patricia
599 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Deborah
567 baby girls born in Missouri (1961) 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.
Sandra
566 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Tammy
562 baby girls born in Missouri (1961) named Tammy
The name Tammy is a diminutive form of the name Tamara, which has Hebrew origins and means "palm tree" or "date tree". The exact meaning of Tammy is unclear, but it is generally considered to be a modern English name that is derived from Tamara.
Cynthia
560 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Pamela
549 baby girls born in Missouri (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).
Teresa
546 baby girls born in Missouri (1961) named Teresa
The name Teresa is derived from the Greek name Therasia, which means "harvester" or "reaper". It has also been associated with the Spanish word "teresa", meaning "to harvest". The name has been popularized by Saint Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic and writer who lived in the 16th century. The name is commonly given to girls and is of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian origin.
Debra
511 baby girls born in Missouri (1961) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Barbara
510 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Sharon
502 baby girls born in Missouri (1961) 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.
Laura
501 baby girls born in Missouri (1961) 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.
Kimberly
490 baby girls born in Missouri (1961) 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.
Kathy
478 baby girls born in Missouri (1961) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Missouri in 1961

In 1961, the most popular baby boy names in Missouri were David, Michael, John, James, and Mark. David was the most popular name with 2060 babies being named David, followed closely by Michael with 2033 babies. John was the third most popular name with 1848 babies named John, while James and Mark rounded out the top five with 1758 and 1642 babies respectively. These names were likely popular due to their classic and timeless nature.

David

2060 baby boys born in Missouri (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

2033 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
John

1848 baby boys born in Missouri (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

1758 baby boys born in Missouri (1961) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Mark

1642 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Robert
1599 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
William
982 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Steven
934 baby boys born in Missouri (1961) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Richard
912 baby boys born in Missouri (1961) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kevin
863 baby boys born in Missouri (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".
Jeffrey
830 baby boys born in Missouri (1961) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Charles
792 baby boys born in Missouri (1961) 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.
Thomas
709 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Timothy
673 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Kenneth
658 baby boys born in Missouri (1961) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
603 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Daniel
587 baby boys born in Missouri (1961) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Donald
584 baby boys born in Missouri (1961) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Gary
577 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Gregory
574 baby boys born in Missouri (1961) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".