Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1957

In the year 1957, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in the popularity of traditional baby names. Mary was the most popular baby girl name, followed closely by Susan and Karen. These names have been popular for generations and continue to hold a special place in the hearts of many parents.

For baby boys, the top names were John, Robert, and Michael. These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today. Whether you're looking for a strong and traditional name or something more unique, Pennsylvania's top baby names of 1957 offer plenty of inspiration.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1957

In Pennsylvania, 1957, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 3970 babies being given this name. Susan was the second most popular name with 3399 babies named Susan. Karen followed closely with 3149 babies given this name. Linda and Deborah were also popular names with 2901 and 2870 babies respectively being named Linda and Deborah. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1957.

Mary

3970 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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

3399 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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.
Karen

3149 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Linda

2901 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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

2870 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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.
Patricia
2696 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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.
Cynthia
2688 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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.
Debra
2457 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Donna
2362 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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
2259 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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.
Diane
2016 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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".
Kathleen
1919 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Nancy
1779 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Carol
1729 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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".
Sharon
1705 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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.
Cindy
1593 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) named Cindy
The name Cindy is a diminutive form of the name Cynthia, which means "moon goddess" in Greek. It is also sometimes considered a nickname for the name Lucinda, which means "light" in Spanish.
Cheryl
1569 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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
1348 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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
1304 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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).
Sandra
1235 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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 Pennsylvania in 1957

Based on the data from 1957, the most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania were John with 6447 occurrences, followed by Robert with 6182 occurrences, Michael with 5752 occurrences, David with 5701 occurrences, and James with 5469 occurrences. These five names were the most commonly given to baby boys born in Pennsylvania during that year.

John

6447 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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

6182 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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.
Michael

5752 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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

5701 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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

5469 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William
4444 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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
3789 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
3752 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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
3707 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Mark
3416 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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.
Jeffrey
2190 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Charles
2129 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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.
Daniel
1993 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Donald
1887 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
1883 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Edward
1840 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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".
Gary
1814 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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.
Paul
1762 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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.
Kevin
1714 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) 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".
Kenneth
1684 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1957) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".