It’s rare to come across a baby named Linda, Nancy, Gary or Richard these days. But 75 years ago, they were some of the most common names on birth certificates.
Indeed, they were on the Social Security Administration’s official list of the top 10 baby names in 1950. Although the most popular picks for girls at that time couldn’t seem more different, it’s worth noting that some common choices for boys (think James and William) remain so today.
That doesn’t mean the more outdated names couldn’t be ripe for a comeback, however. Whether you’re looking for vintage baby name inspiration or simply seeking a little nostalgia trip, keep scrolling for a glimpse at the trends of three-quarters of a century ago. Below are the 25 most popular baby names for boys and girls born in 1950.
Girls
- Linda
- Mary
- Patricia
- Barbara
- Susan
- Nancy
- Deborah
- Sandra
- Carol
- Kathleen
- Sharon
- Karen
- Donna
- Brenda
- Margaret
- Diane
- Pamela
- Janet
- Shirley
- Carolyn
- Judith
- Janice
- Cynthia
- Elizabeth
- Judy
Boys
- James
- Robert
- John
- Michael
- David
- William
- Richard
- Thomas
- Charles
- Gary
- Larry
- Ronald
- Joseph
- Donald
- Kenneth
- Steven
- Dennis
- Paul
- Stephen
- George
- Daniel
- Edward
- Mark
- Jerry
- Gregory