Texas's most popular baby names in 1956

In the year 1956, the state of Texas saw a surge in popularity of traditional names for baby girls. Topping the charts was the name Mary, a classic name that has been popular for centuries. Following closely behind were Linda and Debra, two names that also have a long history of use.

For baby boys, the top three names were David, James, and Robert. These names were also traditional choices and have remained popular over the years. David, in particular, has consistently been a popular name for boys in Texas and across the United States.

Overall, it seems that parents in Texas in 1956 were drawn to timeless and classic names for their new arrivals. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Texas in 1956

In 1956, the most popular baby girl names in Texas were Mary, Linda, Debra, Patricia, and Cynthia. Mary was the most popular name, with 3614 babies given this name. Linda was the second most popular name, with 2555 babies given this name. Debra, Patricia, and Cynthia were also popular names, with 2395, 2218, and 2169 babies given these names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Mary

3614 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Linda

2555 baby girls born in Texas (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."
Debra

2395 baby girls born in Texas (1956) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Patricia

2218 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Cynthia

2169 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Deborah
2151 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Maria
2125 baby girls born in Texas (1956) named Maria
Maria is a name of Latin origin, derived from the name Mariam or Miriam, which means "bitterness" or "sorrow". It is a common name in many cultures and is often associated with the Virgin Mary in Christianity.
Karen
1820 baby girls born in Texas (1956) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Susan
1569 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Brenda
1558 baby girls born in Texas (1956) 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.
Donna
1525 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Pamela
1505 baby girls born in Texas (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).
Sharon
1485 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Sandra
1419 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Barbara
1305 baby girls born in Texas (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.
Nancy
1114 baby girls born in Texas (1956) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sylvia
1081 baby girls born in Texas (1956) named Sylvia
The name Sylvia is derived from the Latin word "silva" meaning "wood" or "forest". Therefore, the name Sylvia is often associated with nature and the outdoors. It is also believed that people with this name tend to be creative, imaginative, and have a strong sense of intuition.
Rebecca
1007 baby girls born in Texas (1956) named Rebecca
Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.
Elizabeth
998 baby girls born in Texas (1956) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Cheryl
973 baby girls born in Texas (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Texas in 1956

Based on the data from Texas in 1956, the most popular baby boy names were David, James, Robert, Michael, and John. David was the most popular name with 4504 babies given this name, followed closely by James with 4439 babies. Robert and Michael were also popular with 4095 and 3857 babies given these names, respectively. John rounded out the top five with 3569 babies given this name.

David

4504 baby boys born in Texas (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.
James

4439 baby boys born in Texas (1956) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

4095 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Michael

3857 baby boys born in Texas (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.
John

3569 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Richard
2518 baby boys born in Texas (1956) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William
2391 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Charles
2193 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Mark
2121 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Gary
1771 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Larry
1771 baby boys born in Texas (1956) named Larry
The name Larry is a shortened form of the name Lawrence, which comes from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages due to the fame of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron. The name Larry has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been a popular name in the United States.
Kenneth
1720 baby boys born in Texas (1956) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Joe
1479 baby boys born in Texas (1956) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Thomas
1456 baby boys born in Texas (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.
Steven
1435 baby boys born in Texas (1956) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Jose
1412 baby boys born in Texas (1956) named Jose
The name Jose is a Spanish variant of the name Joseph, which means "God will increase" or "God will add".
Donald
1350 baby boys born in Texas (1956) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
1265 baby boys born in Texas (1956) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Daniel
1191 baby boys born in Texas (1956) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Paul
1143 baby boys born in Texas (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.