Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1956

In the year 1956, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary, Deborah, and Susan were the top three names that parents chose for their baby girls. Mary, a name with biblical roots, has been a popular choice for centuries and continues to be a timeless classic. Deborah and Susan, both names with Hebrew origins, were also popular choices for baby girls in Pennsylvania in 1956.

For baby boys, the top three names in Pennsylvania in 1956 were John, Robert, and David. John, a name that has been popular for centuries, was the most popular name for baby boys in Pennsylvania that year. Robert, a name with Germanic roots, was the second most popular name for baby boys in 1956, while David, a name with Hebrew origins, came in third place. These traditional names for baby boys were a reflection of the cultural and societal values of the time.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1956

In Pennsylvania, 1956, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 3869 babies given that name. Deborah came in second with 3568 babies, followed by Susan with 3315 babies, Linda with 3077 babies, and Karen with 3035 babies. These were the top five most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania during that year.

Mary

3869 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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

3568 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Susan

3315 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Linda

3077 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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."
Karen

3035 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1956) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Patricia
3016 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Debra
2899 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1956) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Donna
2417 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Barbara
2354 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Cynthia
2178 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Kathleen
2037 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1956) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Diane
1995 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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".
Nancy
1891 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1956) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sharon
1796 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Carol
1629 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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".
Sandra
1424 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Cheryl
1365 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Denise
1265 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Pamela
1241 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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).
Margaret
1131 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1956) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1956

In Pennsylvania, 1956, the top 5 most popular baby boy names were John, Robert, David, Michael, and James. John was the most popular name with 6539 babies being given that name, followed closely by Robert with 6256 babies. David, Michael, and James rounded out the top 5 with 5672, 5605, and 5418 babies respectively being given those names. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical figures of the time.

John

6539 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Robert

6256 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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

5672 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Michael

5605 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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

5418 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1956) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William
4558 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Joseph
3730 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1956) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Richard
3718 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1956) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
3697 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Mark
3009 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Charles
2129 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Jeffrey
2096 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1956) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Gary
1959 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Edward
1895 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1956) 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".
Donald
1816 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1956) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Daniel
1815 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1956) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Ronald
1798 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1956) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Paul
1701 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Kenneth
1578 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1956) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Steven
1570 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1956) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.