Every new parent faces the difficult decision of choosing the perfect name for a newborn. First names rarely get changed after being assigned and carry with them a wide range of meanings and associations. This creates a lot of pressure on expectant parents to pick the perfect moniker for their little ones.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, many parents end up choosing the same names over and over. Research suggests that we pick specific names implying desired characteristics about our children, selecting names for boys and girls intended to shape them. Male monikers are commonly inspired by political, cultural, and personal influences that suggest good, masculine, and well-rounded people.
The 1960s are commonly associated with tie-dye-clad hippies, psychedelic experimentation, and rock 'n' roll icons like the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. But underneath the flower power, free love exterior, the '60s were a period of radical social and political change—not only in the United States but around the world. The decade was one characterized by a host of juxtapositions; anger and fear over injustice and uneasy political conditions lived alongside notions of musical awakening and pacifist harmony.
Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for girls in the '60s in Massachusetts using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born from 1960 to 1969. The names in this list represent the distinct intersection of Baby Boomer and Gen X and a reflection of some of the most well-known celebrities, musicians, and trends of the time. Keep reading to see if your name was among the most popular in the '60s in your home state.
You may also like: Best lookout points in Massachusetts by visitors
Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
1 / 30Ann is a name of Latin origin meaning "grace".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,077
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 44 (#828 (tie) most common name, -98.9% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 72,079 (#60 most common name)
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
2 / 30Laurie is a name of Latin origin meaning "sweet bay tree".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,183
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 44 (#828 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 74,449 (#58 most common name)
Lopolo // Shutterstock
3 / 30Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning "youthful".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,195
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 133 (#420 (tie) most common name, -96.8% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 166,149 (#18 most common name)
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock
4 / 30Sharon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "a fertile plain".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,286
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 7 (#1434 most common name, -99.8% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 154,893 (#23 most common name)
Natee K Jindakum // Shutterstock
5 / 30Denise is a name of Greek origin meaning "to be devoted to Bacchus".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,349
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 5 (#1645 (tie) most common name, -99.9% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 128,823 (#29 most common name)
You may also like: Highest scoring NBA players born in Massachusetts
Darren Brode // Shutterstock
6 / 30Robin is a name of German origin meaning "fame-bright".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,368
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 48 (#790 (tie) most common name, -98.9% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 118,326 (#34 most common name)
Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock
7 / 30Barbara is a name of Greek origin meaning "foreign".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,476
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 10 (#1376 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 159,774 (#21 most common name)
Malakhova Ganna // Shutterstock
8 / 30Lori is a name of English origin meaning "bay laurel".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,504
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 10 (#1376 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 176,561 (#15 most common name)
Max Bukovski // Shutterstock
9 / 30Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,677
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 49 (#778 (tie) most common name, -99.0% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 196,596 (#10 most common name)
phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
10 / 30Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,784
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 31 (#948 (tie) most common name, -99.4% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 183,844 (#11 most common name)
You may also like: Hottest Decembers in Massachusetts since 1895
Lopolo // Shutterstock
11 / 30Debra is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,941
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 31 (#948 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 153,771 (#24 most common name)
javi_indy // Shutterstock
12 / 30Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 5,332
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 416 (#132 (tie) most common name, -92.2% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 174,181 (#16 most common name)
FamVeld // Shutterstock
13 / 30Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 5,463
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 416 (#132 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 181,938 (#14 most common name)
Blend Images // Shutterstock
14 / 30Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning "white shadow, white wave".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 5,544
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 133 (#420 (tie) most common name, -97.6% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 164,414 (#20 most common name)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
15 / 30Diane is a name of Latin origin meaning "divine".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 5,659
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 133 (#420 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 114,452 (#36 most common name)
You may also like: Hottest months in Massachusetts since 1895
DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
16 / 30Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning "from the wood of the royal forest".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 6,025
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 203 (#280 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 259,072 (#5 most common name)
Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock
17 / 30Cheryl is a name of Greek origin meaning "cherry fruit".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 6,405
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 203 (#280 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 135,646 (#28 most common name)
photoDiod // Shutterstock
18 / 30Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 6,723
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,471 (#21 most common name, -78.1% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 168,915 (#17 most common name)
Krystyna Taran // Shutterstock
19 / 30Nancy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "grace".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 6,861
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 15 (#1216 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 142,723 (#26 most common name)
Amalia Zilio // Shutterstock
20 / 30Deborah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 7,307
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 115 (#469 (tie) most common name, -98.4% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 183,432 (#12 most common name)
You may also like: Massachusetts' Halloween sweet tooth: 2025 candy and decor trends from Instacart data
FreelySky // Shutterstock
21 / 30Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 7,797
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 188 (#306 most common name, -97.6% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 208,296 (#9 most common name)
Durganand // Shutterstock
22 / 30Linda is a name of Italian origin meaning "beautiful".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 8,188
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 20 (#1096 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 225,445 (#7 most common name)
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock
23 / 30Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 8,430
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 45 (#819 most common name, -99.5% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 139,339 (#27 most common name)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
24 / 30Kathleen is a name of Irish origin meaning "pure".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 8,483
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 75 (#621 (tie) most common name, -99.1% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 120,950 (#32 most common name)
s_oleg // Shutterstock
25 / 30Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning "lady of the home".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 8,673
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 75 (#621 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 213,467 (#8 most common name)
You may also like: Spicy insights in Massachusetts for National Hot Sauce Day from Instacart data
Mcimage // Shutterstock
26 / 30Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 8,967
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 48 (#790 (tie) most common name, -99.5% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 231,169 (#6 most common name)
Darkdiamond67 // Shutterstock
27 / 30Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 10,967
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 413 (#134 most common name, -96.2% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 355,238 (#2 most common name)
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
28 / 30Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 11,894
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 58 (#708 most common name, -99.5% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 286,054 (#4 most common name)
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
29 / 30Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 13,680
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 10 (#1376 (tie) most common name, -99.9% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 287,661 (#3 most common name)
CroMary // Shutterstock
30 / 30Lisa is a name of English origin meaning "God's promise".
Massachusetts
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 18,343
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 55 (#726 most common name, -99.7% compared to the 60s)
National:
- Babies from 1960 to 1969: 496,983 (#1 most common name)
You may also like: Baldest states: See how Massachusetts ranks for hair-loss medication prescriptions
