Pennsylvania's most popular baby names in 1961

In the year 1961, the state of Pennsylvania saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Mary topped the list as the most popular name for baby girls, followed closely by Lisa and Susan. These names had been popular for decades and continued to hold their place as parents opted for classic and timeless names for their daughters.

For baby boys, the trend was towards strong and masculine names. John was the most popular name for baby boys in Pennsylvania in 1961, followed by Michael and David. These names have continued to remain popular over the years, with many parents still choosing them for their sons.

Overall, the baby names in Pennsylvania in 1961 reflected a desire for traditional and classic names, with a focus on strong and timeless choices for both boys and girls. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania in 1961

In 1961, the most popular baby girl names in Pennsylvania were Mary, Lisa, Susan, Karen, and Linda. Mary was the most popular name with 3038 babies given that name. Lisa came in second with 2863 babies, followed by Susan with 2643 babies, Karen with 2388 babies, and Linda with 2321 babies. These names were very popular during that time period and were commonly given to baby girls in Pennsylvania.

Mary

3038 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Lisa

2863 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1961) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Susan

2643 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Karen

2388 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1961) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Linda

2321 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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
2111 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Patricia
1978 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Barbara
1725 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Deborah
1667 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Kathleen
1486 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1961) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Diane
1414 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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".
Lori
1382 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Kimberly
1380 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1961) 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.
Sharon
1368 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Denise
1344 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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.
Carol
1302 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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".
Cynthia
1299 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1961) 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.
Nancy
1275 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1961) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Brenda
1261 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (1961) 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.
Sandra
1204 baby girls born in Pennsylvania (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 Pennsylvania in 1961

Based on the data from 1961 in Pennsylvania, the top 5 most popular baby boy names were John with 5879 occurrences, followed by Michael with 5573 occurrences, David with 5514 occurrences, Robert with 5263 occurrences, and James with 4875 occurrences. These names were likely influenced by cultural and societal trends during that time period.

John

5879 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Michael

5573 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
David

5514 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Robert

5263 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
James

4875 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1961) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Mark
3809 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
William
3675 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Joseph
3213 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1961) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
3111 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Richard
2892 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1961) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Jeffrey
2506 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1961) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Kevin
1870 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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".
Timothy
1789 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Daniel
1785 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1961) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Charles
1771 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1961) 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.
Paul
1667 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (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.
Brian
1648 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1961) 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.
Scott
1575 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1961) named Scott
The name Scott is of Scottish origin and means "from Scotland" or "wanderer". It is a common surname that has been used as a first name since the 19th century.
Steven
1561 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1961) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Edward
1529 baby boys born in Pennsylvania (1961) 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".