Decade dossier

1950s baby names

The names that defined the 1950s: James and Mary led the decade, but the full roster tells a richer story.

The 1950s were defined by names that now read as cultural artifacts. James and Mary dominated the decade — names that crossed class lines and regional divides. Some have become vintage revival candidates; others remain frozen in time. Browse the full rankings below to see which names defined the 1950s classroom.

Girls

#1Mary625,606
#2Linda564,364
#3Patricia459,681
#4Susan437,774
#5Deborah430,537
#6Barbara345,722
#7Debra341,348
#8Karen332,531
#9Nancy286,812
#10Donna270,338
#11Cynthia263,432
#12Sandra251,591
#13Pamela237,398
#14Sharon232,807
#15Kathleen224,342
#16Carol222,656
#17Diane210,624
#18Brenda209,241
#19Cheryl171,387
#20Janet167,520
#21Elizabeth165,656
#22Kathy157,930
#23Margaret149,582
#24Janice133,620
#25Carolyn124,067

Boys

#1James843,768
#2Michael837,471
#3Robert830,395
#4John797,922
#5David769,963
#6William591,228
#7Richard535,461
#8Thomas454,385
#9Mark382,589
#10Charles361,177
#11Steven333,666
#12Gary329,933
#13Joseph300,012
#14Donald273,574
#15Ronald271,139
#16Kenneth262,819
#17Paul253,202
#18Larry245,698
#19Daniel243,727
#20Stephen207,276
#21Dennis204,267
#22Timothy198,324
#23Edward188,323
#24Jeffrey184,668
#25George181,031