New hampshire's most popular baby names in 1956

In the year 1956, the state of New Hampshire saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The top baby girl names were Susan, Debra, and Linda, while baby boy names Michael, David, and Robert were the most favored choices among parents.

Susan, meaning "lily," was the most popular name for baby girls in New Hampshire in 1956, followed closely by Debra, which means "bee." Linda, meaning "pretty" or "soft," also made it to the top three. For baby boys, Michael, meaning "who is like God," was the most commonly chosen name, followed by David, which means "beloved," and Robert, meaning "bright fame." These names were not only popular in New Hampshire but also across the United States, reflecting the cultural and social trends of the time.

Most popular baby girl names in New hampshire in 1956

In 1956, the most popular baby girl names in New Hampshire were Susan, Debra, Linda, Deborah, and Karen. Susan was the most popular name, with 203 babies given that name. Debra came in second with 179 babies, followed closely by Linda with 177 babies. Deborah was the fourth most popular name, with 174 babies given that name, and Karen rounded out the top five with 164 babies. These names were all quite popular at the time, and many parents in New Hampshire chose them for their baby girls.

Susan

203 baby girls born in New hampshire (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.
Debra

179 baby girls born in New hampshire (1956) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Linda

177 baby girls born in New hampshire (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."
Deborah

174 baby girls born in New hampshire (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.
Karen

164 baby girls born in New hampshire (1956) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Diane
141 baby girls born in New hampshire (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".
Donna
140 baby girls born in New hampshire (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.
Mary
135 baby girls born in New hampshire (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.
Patricia
120 baby girls born in New hampshire (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.
Nancy
113 baby girls born in New hampshire (1956) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Cheryl
109 baby girls born in New hampshire (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.
Cynthia
102 baby girls born in New hampshire (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.
Sandra
96 baby girls born in New hampshire (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
90 baby girls born in New hampshire (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".
Denise
85 baby girls born in New hampshire (1956) named Denise
The name Denise is of French origin and is derived from the name Denis, which means "follower of Dionysius." Dionysius was the Greek god of wine, fertility, and theater. The name Denise was popularized in the 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Barbara
83 baby girls born in New hampshire (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
81 baby girls born in New hampshire (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.
Kathleen
78 baby girls born in New hampshire (1956) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Pamela
76 baby girls born in New hampshire (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).
Brenda
69 baby girls born in New hampshire (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.

Most popular baby boy names in New hampshire in 1956

In 1956, the most popular baby boy names in New Hampshire were Michael, David, Robert, Richard, and John. Michael was the most popular name with 353 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 322 babies. Robert, Richard, and John were also popular names with 280, 255, and 237 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional naming conventions at the time.

Michael

353 baby boys born in New hampshire (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.
David

322 baby boys born in New hampshire (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.
Robert

280 baby boys born in New hampshire (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.
Richard

255 baby boys born in New hampshire (1956) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

237 baby boys born in New hampshire (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.
James
191 baby boys born in New hampshire (1956) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William
179 baby boys born in New hampshire (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.
Mark
172 baby boys born in New hampshire (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.
Paul
156 baby boys born in New hampshire (1956) 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.
Steven
147 baby boys born in New hampshire (1956) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Gary
137 baby boys born in New hampshire (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.
Peter
135 baby boys born in New hampshire (1956) named Peter
The name Peter is derived from the Greek name Petros, meaning "rock" or "stone". It is a common name in many cultures and languages, and is often associated with qualities such as strength, stability, and steadfastness.
Thomas
130 baby boys born in New hampshire (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.
Donald
127 baby boys born in New hampshire (1956) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Stephen
117 baby boys born in New hampshire (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.
Brian
117 baby boys born in New hampshire (1956) 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.
Kevin
104 baby boys born in New hampshire (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
100 baby boys born in New hampshire (1956) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Ronald
90 baby boys born in New hampshire (1956) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Bruce
85 baby boys born in New hampshire (1956) named Bruce
The name Bruce is of Scottish origin and means "from the brushwood thicket".