Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1960

In the year 1960, the state of Pennsylvania witnessed a surge in the popularity of traditional baby names. Mary, a classic name that has been in use for centuries, topped the list of most popular baby girl names. Susan and Donna followed closely behind, reflecting the influence of the Christian religion and the trend of naming children after family members.

For baby boys, John was the most popular name, followed by David and Michael. These names also have strong roots in Christianity and have been popular for generations. John, in particular, has been a favorite among parents for centuries, as it is the name of one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ.

Overall, the baby names of 1960 in Pennsylvania reflect a desire for traditional, timeless names that have stood the test of time. While naming trends have changed over the years, these classic names remain popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1960

In Pennsylvania in the year 1960, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 3297 babies given this name. Following close behind were Susan with 2801, Donna with 2648, Karen with 2573, and Linda with 2387. These names were the top five most commonly given to baby girls in Pennsylvania during that year.

Mary

3297 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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

2801 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
Donna

2648 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
Karen

2573 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Linda

2387 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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."
Lisa
2177 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Patricia
2138 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
Barbara
1877 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
Deborah
1717 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
Kathleen
1547 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Diane
1534 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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".
Debra
1444 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Cynthia
1436 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
Carol
1399 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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
1373 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
Nancy
1361 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Kimberly
1286 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) named Kimberly
The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.
Sandra
1275 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
Brenda
1220 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
Pamela
1178 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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).

Most popular baby boy names in Pennsylvania in 1960

In Pennsylvania in the year 1960, the most popular baby boy names were John, David, Michael, Robert, and James. John was the most popular with 5829 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 5528 babies. Michael came in third with 5430 babies named that, while Robert and James rounded out the top five with 5310 and 4916 babies respectively.

John

5829 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
David

5528 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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

5430 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
Robert

5310 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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

4916 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Mark
3775 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
William
3772 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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
3321 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
3168 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
Richard
3037 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Jeffrey
2405 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Daniel
1861 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Timothy
1846 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
Charles
1843 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
Kevin
1774 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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".
Brian
1611 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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.
Edward
1603 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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".
Steven
1580 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Paul
1571 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) 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
1550 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1960) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".