New york's most popular baby names in 1961

In the year 1961, the state of New York saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary remained the top choice for parents, followed by Susan and Lisa. These classic names have been popular for decades and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

For baby boys, Michael claimed the top spot, followed by John and Robert. These names have also stood the test of time and remain popular choices for parents in New York and across the country. Whether you prefer traditional or modern names, these popular choices from 1961 are sure to inspire parents-to-be in their quest for the perfect name for their little one.

Most popular baby girl names in New york in 1961

In 1961, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in New York with a total of 4432 babies being given this name. Susan was the second most popular name with 4078 babies, followed by Lisa with 3571 babies. Patricia and Karen were tied for fourth place with 3173 and 3171 babies respectively. These were the top 5 baby girl names in New York in 1961.

Mary

4432 baby girls born in New york (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

4078 baby girls born in New york (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.
Lisa

3571 baby girls born in New york (1961) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Patricia

3173 baby girls born in New york (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.
Karen

3171 baby girls born in New york (1961) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Linda
3125 baby girls born in New york (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."
Donna
3007 baby girls born in New york (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.
Nancy
2562 baby girls born in New york (1961) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Barbara
2433 baby girls born in New york (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.
Elizabeth
2341 baby girls born in New york (1961) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Kathleen
2263 baby girls born in New york (1961) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Deborah
2261 baby girls born in New york (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.
Diane
1899 baby girls born in New york (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".
Laura
1804 baby girls born in New york (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.
Lori
1763 baby girls born in New york (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.
Debra
1715 baby girls born in New york (1961) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Denise
1644 baby girls born in New york (1961) 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.
Sharon
1558 baby girls born in New york (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.
Carol
1522 baby girls born in New york (1961) 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".
Sandra
1511 baby girls born in New york (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.

Most popular baby boy names in New york in 1961

In 1961, the most popular baby boy names in New York were Michael, John, Robert, David, and James. Michael was the most popular name with 9054 babies given that name, followed closely by John with 8754 babies. Robert, David, and James rounded out the top five with 7479, 6494, and 6441 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

Michael

9054 baby boys born in New york (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

8754 baby boys born in New york (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.
Robert

7479 baby boys born in New york (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.
David

6494 baby boys born in New york (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.
James

6441 baby boys born in New york (1961) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Thomas
4786 baby boys born in New york (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.
Joseph
4686 baby boys born in New york (1961) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
William
4634 baby boys born in New york (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.
Richard
4398 baby boys born in New york (1961) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Mark
4185 baby boys born in New york (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.
Steven
3090 baby boys born in New york (1961) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Anthony
2965 baby boys born in New york (1961) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Kevin
2842 baby boys born in New york (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
2767 baby boys born in New york (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
2656 baby boys born in New york (1961) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Jeffrey
2544 baby boys born in New york (1961) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Peter
2236 baby boys born in New york (1961) 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.
Kenneth
2158 baby boys born in New york (1961) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Christopher
2152 baby boys born in New york (1961) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Timothy
2114 baby boys born in New york (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.