Wisconsin's most popular baby names in 1961

In the year 1961, the state of Wisconsin saw a surge in baby names that were both classic and timeless. Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries, topped the charts for baby girls. It was followed by Susan, another name that has stood the test of time. Lori, a name that was gaining popularity in the 60s, also made it to the top three.

For baby boys, David took the number one spot, a name that has been consistently popular for decades. Michael, a name that has been a favorite since the mid-20th century, came in second place. John, a classic name that has been popular for centuries, rounded out the top three. These names reflect a trend towards traditional and timeless names, which continue to be popular even today.

Most popular baby girl names in Wisconsin in 1961

In Wisconsin, 1961, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 1670 occurrences. Susan came in second with 1168 occurrences, followed by Lori with 1111 occurrences. Lisa and Julie rounded out the top five with 998 and 958 occurrences, respectively.

Mary

1670 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Susan

1168 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Lori

1111 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Lisa

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

958 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1961) 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
937 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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."
Karen
915 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1961) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Debra
773 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1961) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Barbara
707 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Sandra
642 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Patricia
580 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Kathleen
545 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1961) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Dawn
540 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1961) 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".
Diane
540 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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".
Cheryl
536 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1961) 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.
Nancy
525 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1961) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Laurie
524 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1961) named Laurie
The name Laurie is a diminutive form of the name Laura, which means "bay laurel" or "crowned with laurel".
Cynthia
493 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.
Pamela
492 baby girls born in Wisconsin (1961) 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).
Brenda
489 baby girls born in Wisconsin (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Wisconsin in 1961

In Wisconsin, 1961, the top five most popular baby boy names were David, Michael, John, Mark, and James. David was the most popular name with 2257 babies given that name, followed closely by Michael with 2142 babies. John was the third most popular name with 1927 babies, followed by Mark with 1918 babies and James with 1780 babies. These names were likely influenced by cultural and religious traditions, as well as popular figures and trends of the time.

David

2257 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Michael

2142 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
John

1927 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Mark

1918 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
James

1780 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1961) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert
1524 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Thomas
1370 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Jeffrey
1326 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1961) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Steven
1217 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1961) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Daniel
1143 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1961) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Scott
1110 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Brian
959 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Timothy
923 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
William
900 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Richard
855 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1961) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Paul
833 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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.
Kevin
802 baby boys born in Wisconsin (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".
Todd
636 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1961) named Todd
The name Todd is of English origin and means "fox". It was originally a surname before becoming a first name.
Joseph
598 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1961) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Gary
571 baby boys born in Wisconsin (1961) 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.