Washington's most popular baby names in 1956

In the year 1956, the state of Washington saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Susan was the most popular name, followed closely by Debra and Linda. These names were likely inspired by popular media figures of the time, such as Susan Hayward and Debra Paget, who were both well-known actresses.

When it came to baby boys, Michael was the top choice for parents in Washington in 1956. This name has remained a popular choice for decades and was likely influenced by the biblical figure of the archangel Michael. Other popular names for baby boys in the state that year included David and Robert.

Overall, the top baby names in Washington in 1956 reflected the cultural trends and influences of the time. These names have since become classics and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Washington in 1956

In Washington in 1956, the most popular baby girl names were Susan, Debra, Linda, Mary, and Karen. Susan was the most popular name with 813 babies given that name, followed closely by Debra with 806 babies. Linda, Mary, and Karen were also popular choices with 699, 699, and 667 babies given those names, respectively.

Susan

813 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Debra

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

699 baby girls born in Washington (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."
Mary

699 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Karen

667 baby girls born in Washington (1956) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Deborah
534 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Patricia
528 baby girls born in Washington (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
460 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Cheryl
453 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Barbara
427 baby girls born in Washington (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
423 baby girls born in Washington (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).
Nancy
421 baby girls born in Washington (1956) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Diane
351 baby girls born in Washington (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".
Carol
347 baby girls born in Washington (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".
Sandra
346 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Kathleen
342 baby girls born in Washington (1956) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Teresa
342 baby girls born in Washington (1956) named Teresa
The name Teresa is derived from the Greek name Therasia, which means "harvester" or "reaper". It has also been associated with the Spanish word "teresa", meaning "to harvest". The name has been popularized by Saint Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic and writer who lived in the 16th century. The name is commonly given to girls and is of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian origin.
Janet
304 baby girls born in Washington (1956) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Sharon
292 baby girls born in Washington (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.
Julie
289 baby girls born in Washington (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".

Most popular baby boy names in Washington in 1956

In 1956, the most popular baby boy names in Washington were Michael, David, Robert, James, and John. Michael was the most popular with 1457 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 1400 babies. Robert, James, and John rounded out the top five with 1260, 1157, and 1146 babies given those names, respectively.

Michael

1457 baby boys born in Washington (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.
David

1400 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Robert

1260 baby boys born in Washington (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.
James

1157 baby boys born in Washington (1956) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

1146 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Mark
941 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Steven
911 baby boys born in Washington (1956) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Richard
886 baby boys born in Washington (1956) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William
745 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Thomas
558 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Daniel
543 baby boys born in Washington (1956) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Gary
504 baby boys born in Washington (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.
Donald
491 baby boys born in Washington (1956) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Jeffrey
464 baby boys born in Washington (1956) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Timothy
451 baby boys born in Washington (1956) 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.
Kenneth
451 baby boys born in Washington (1956) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Ronald
442 baby boys born in Washington (1956) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Douglas
424 baby boys born in Washington (1956) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Gregory
415 baby boys born in Washington (1956) named Gregory
The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".
Paul
413 baby boys born in Washington (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.