Rhode island's most popular baby names in 1971

In the year 1971, the state of Rhode Island saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the most popular names were Jennifer, Lisa, and Melissa. These names were likely inspired by popular culture at the time, as Jennifer was the name of a character on the popular TV show "Love, American Style," while Lisa was the name of the daughter on "The Partridge Family." Melissa, on the other hand, may have been influenced by the success of the singer Melissa Manchester.

For baby boys, the top names were Michael, John, and David. These classic names have been popular for decades and continue to be popular today. Michael, in particular, has been a perennial favorite, ranking in the top 10 most popular baby names in the United States for many years. John and David are also timeless names that have remained popular over the years.

Overall, the most popular baby names in Rhode Island in 1971 reflect the trends and influences of the time, while also showcasing the enduring popularity of classic names.

Most popular baby girl names in Rhode island in 1971

According to data from 1971, the most popular baby girl names in Rhode Island were Jennifer with 344 occurrences, followed by Lisa with 236 occurrences, Melissa with 177 occurrences, Michelle with 169 occurrences, and Kimberly with 151 occurrences. These names were the most commonly chosen by parents for their newborn baby girls in Rhode Island during that year.

Jennifer

344 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) named Jennifer
The name Jennifer is of Welsh origin and means "fair and smooth". It was first used as a given name in the United States in the 20th century and became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
Lisa

236 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Melissa

177 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) named Melissa
The name Melissa is derived from the Greek word "melissa," which means "honey bee." It was a popular name in ancient Greece and is often associated with sweetness and industriousness.
Michelle

169 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) named Michelle
Michelle is a feminine given name of French origin. The name means "who is like God" or "gift from God." It is a variation of the name Michael, which comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God." The name Michelle has been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity over time.
Kimberly

151 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) 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.
Christine
127 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
Dawn
113 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) named Dawn
The name Dawn means "the first appearance of light, daybreak" and is often given to girls born at or around sunrise. It is derived from the Old English word "dagian" which means "to become day".
Amy
105 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) named Amy
The name Amy means "beloved" or "dearly loved" in French and Latin. It is a popular name for girls and has been used since the Middle Ages.
Susan
101 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) 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.
Lori
91 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) 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.
Kristen
86 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) named Kristen
The name Kristen is of Scandinavian origin and is a variation of the name Christine. It means "follower of Christ" or "anointed one".
Heather
80 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) named Heather
The name Heather is of English origin and is derived from the name of a flowering plant that grows in Scotland. The name is often associated with the color purple and is said to symbolize admiration, good luck, and protection.
Julie
79 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) named Julie
The name Julie is a French name that means "youthful" or "full of energy". It is derived from the Latin name Julia, which means "soft-haired" or "youthful".
Tammy
79 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) named Tammy
The name Tammy is a diminutive form of the name Tamara, which has Hebrew origins and means "palm tree" or "date tree". The exact meaning of Tammy is unclear, but it is generally considered to be a modern English name that is derived from Tamara.
Nicole
76 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) named Nicole
Nicole is a feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "victory of the people". It is a popular name in English-speaking countries and has been in use since the 1930s.
Karen
74 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Mary
66 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) 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.
Kelly
64 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) named Kelly
The name Kelly is of Irish origin and means "bright-headed" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls. The name has been popularized by its use as a surname and has been used as a given name since the 20th century.
Donna
61 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) 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.
Deborah
60 baby girls born in Rhode island (1971) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Rhode island in 1971

In Rhode Island in 1971, the most popular baby boy name was Michael, with a total of 410 babies given that name. The next four most popular names were John with 323 babies, David with 302 babies, Robert with 289 babies, and Christopher with 278 babies. These were the top five baby boy names in Rhode Island in 1971.

Michael

410 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) 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.
John

323 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) 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

302 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) 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

289 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) 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.
Christopher

278 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
James
210 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Scott
206 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) 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.
Jason
191 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
Joseph
177 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Brian
170 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) 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.
Richard
161 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William
142 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) 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.
Thomas
130 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) 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.
Steven
130 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Kevin
128 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) 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".
Paul
116 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) 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.
Mark
115 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) 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.
Matthew
111 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Daniel
109 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Stephen
108 baby boys born in Rhode island (1971) named Stephen
The name Stephen means "crown" or "garland" in Greek. It is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, which was a common name among early Christians due to its association with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.