Utah's most popular baby names in 1956

In the year 1956, the state of Utah witnessed a surge of new parents naming their newborns with some of the most popular names of the time. For baby girls, Debra, Susan, and Karen were among the top choices, while for baby boys, David, Michael, and Mark were the most favored names.

Debra, meaning "bee" in Hebrew, was a popular choice for baby girls in Utah. Susan, meaning "lily" in Hebrew, and Karen, meaning "pure" in Danish, were also common names for baby girls. For baby boys, David, meaning "beloved" in Hebrew, was a popular choice, along with Michael, meaning "who is like God" in Hebrew, and Mark, meaning "warlike" in Latin. These names have stood the test of time and are still popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Utah in 1956

In 1956, the most popular baby girl names in Utah were Debra, Susan, Karen, Mary, and Cindy. Debra was the top name with 332 babies given that name, followed by Susan with 274 babies, Karen with 235 babies, Mary with 205 babies, and Cindy with 194 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Debra

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

274 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Karen

235 baby girls born in Utah (1956) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Mary

205 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Cindy

194 baby girls born in Utah (1956) 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.
Julie
185 baby girls born in Utah (1956) 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".
Linda
181 baby girls born in Utah (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."
Patricia
159 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Barbara
142 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Pamela
141 baby girls born in Utah (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).
Diane
132 baby girls born in Utah (1956) 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".
Nancy
126 baby girls born in Utah (1956) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sandra
121 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Janet
119 baby girls born in Utah (1956) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Carol
118 baby girls born in Utah (1956) 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
116 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Lori
116 baby girls born in Utah (1956) 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.
Kathleen
111 baby girls born in Utah (1956) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Deborah
110 baby girls born in Utah (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.
Kim
106 baby girls born in Utah (1956) named Kim
The name Kim is generally considered to be of Vietnamese origin and means "golden" or "royal fortress". However, it is also used as a shortened form of the names Kimberly, Kimberley, or Kimball, which have different meanings.

Most popular baby boy names in Utah in 1956

According to the data from Utah in 1956, the most popular baby boy names were David, Michael, Mark, Robert, and Steven. David was the most popular name with 535 babies being given that name, followed by Michael with 463 babies, then Mark with 369 babies, Robert with 364 babies, and Steven with 350 babies. These names were the top choices for parents in Utah during that year.

David

535 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Michael

463 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Mark

369 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Robert

364 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Steven

350 baby boys born in Utah (1956) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
John
329 baby boys born in Utah (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.
James
289 baby boys born in Utah (1956) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard
281 baby boys born in Utah (1956) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kevin
280 baby boys born in Utah (1956) 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".
Scott
273 baby boys born in Utah (1956) 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.
Gary
202 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Paul
195 baby boys born in Utah (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.
William
192 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Jeffrey
179 baby boys born in Utah (1956) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Randy
174 baby boys born in Utah (1956) named Randy
The name Randy is a shortened form of the name Randall, which means "shield wolf" in Old English. It is also sometimes used as a nickname for the name Randolph.
Ronald
167 baby boys born in Utah (1956) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Thomas
160 baby boys born in Utah (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.
Douglas
156 baby boys born in Utah (1956) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Brent
153 baby boys born in Utah (1956) named Brent
The name Brent is of Old English origin and means "hill" or "mountain". It is often used as a surname as well as a first name.
Kenneth
132 baby boys born in Utah (1956) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".