Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1953

In the year 1953, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Linda, and Patricia were the top three baby girl names of the year. Mary, a classic name with biblical roots, has been a popular choice for centuries. Linda, a name meaning "beautiful" in Spanish, was likely influenced by the popular song "Linda" by Jack Lawrence. Patricia, a name of Latin origin meaning "noble," was also a popular choice for baby girls in Pennsylvania in 1953.

For baby boys, John, Robert, and James were the top three names in Pennsylvania in 1953. John, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious," has been a popular choice for boys for centuries. Robert, a name with Germanic roots meaning "bright fame," was likely influenced by the popularity of author Robert Louis Stevenson. James, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter," was also a popular choice for baby boys in Pennsylvania in 1953.

Overall, the top baby names in Pennsylvania in 1953 reflected a mix of classic, biblical names and names influenced by popular culture and literature. These names continue to be popular choices for parents today, showcasing the enduring appeal of these timeless monikers.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1953

Based on the data from Pennsylvania in 1953, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Linda, Patricia, Deborah, and Susan. Mary was the most popular name with 4028 babies named that, followed closely by Linda with 3906 babies. Patricia, Deborah, and Susan were also popular names with 3673, 3583, and 3381 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Mary

4028 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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.
Linda

3906 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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."
Patricia

3673 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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

3583 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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.
Susan

3381 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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.
Barbara
2763 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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.
Karen
2377 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Kathleen
2263 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Nancy
2192 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Donna
2054 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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.
Debra
1964 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Diane
1821 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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".
Carol
1786 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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".
Cynthia
1643 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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
1586 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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.
Sharon
1560 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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.
Margaret
1334 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janet
1259 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Pamela
1120 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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).
Elizabeth
1074 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1953

In Pennsylvania in 1953, the top five most popular baby boy names were John, Robert, James, David, and William. John was the most popular name with 6797 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 6725 babies. James came in third with 5636 babies, while David and William rounded out the top five with 5247 and 4860 babies respectively. These classic names have remained popular choices for baby boys throughout the years.

John

6797 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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

6725 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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.
James

5636 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David

5247 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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

4860 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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.
Michael
4849 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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.
Richard
4270 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
4007 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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
3331 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Charles
2392 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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.
Gary
2302 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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.
Dennis
1941 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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.
Donald
1900 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Edward
1881 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Ronald
1873 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Paul
1791 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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
1641 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
George
1621 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) named George
The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.
Mark
1566 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) 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.
Kenneth
1549 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1953) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".