Most popular girl names in the 50s in New York

Written by:
June 4, 2026
Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

Most popular girl names in the 50s in New York

Perhaps no decade in US history conjures up more imagery of all-American idealism than the 1950s. A politically conservative era, the '50s introduced the world to some of the most enduring cultural touchstones of the USA: milkshakes, Elvis Presley, "I Love Lucy," and sock-hops. One might imagine classic American kids named Jimmy and Susie splitting a hot-fudge sundae at a local soda shop—and you'd actually be historically accurate. James and Susan were in fact two of the most popular names of the decade.

Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for girls in the 50s in New York using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by number of babies born.

Keep reading to see if your name made the list.

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#30. Laura

Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning "bay laurel plant".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 10,645
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 476 (#384 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 95,527 (#38 most common name)

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pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#29. Ellen

Ellen is a name of French origin meaning brilliant.

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 10,669
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 164 (#935 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 55,368 (#80 most common name)

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Lopolo // Shutterstock

#28. Theresa

Theresa is a name of Greek origin meaning "late summer".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 10,884
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 144 (#1,043 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 89,593 (#39 most common name)

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#27. Joanne

Joanne is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 11,003
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 59 (#1,816 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 53,507 (#82 most common name)

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Oleksiy Avtomonov // Shutterstock

#26. Judith

Judith is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "praised".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 11,224
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 190 (#834 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 108,753 (#34 most common name)

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Rob Marmion // Shutterstock

#25. Cheryl

Cheryl is a name of Greek origin meaning "cherry fruit".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 11,516
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 17 (#2,839 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 171,390 (#19 most common name)

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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#24. Joan

Joan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning God is gracious.

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 12,046
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 91 (#1,422 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 85,170 (#45 most common name)

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phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock

#23. Catherine

Catherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 12,478
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 799 (#216 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 108,837 (#32 most common name)

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#22. Pamela

Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 12,533
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 94 (#1,400 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 237,395 (#13 most common name)

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#21. Janet

Janet is a name of Scottish origin meaning "God is gracious".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 13,451
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 84 (#1,502 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 167,519 (#20 most common name)

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Amalia Zilio // Shutterstock

#20. Christine

Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 14,095
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 209 (#770 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 113,340 (#31 most common name)

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Aaron Amat // Shutterstock

#19. Denise

Denise is a name of Greek origin meaning "to be devoted to Bacchus".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 14,926
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 115 (#1,223 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 123,774 (#26 most common name)

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Dasha Muller // Shutterstock

#18. Sandra

Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 15,182
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 142 (#1,058 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 251,594 (#12 most common name)

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#17. Cynthia

Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 15,756
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 279 (#611 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 263,429 (#11 most common name)

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javi_indy // Shutterstock

#16. Sharon

Sharon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "a fertile plain".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 16,765
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 207 (#777 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 232,809 (#14 most common name)

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Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock

#15. Margaret

Margaret is a name of Greek origin meaning "pearl".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 16,917
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,031 (#163 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 149,583 (#23 most common name)

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#14. Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 19,510
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 3,789 (#25 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 165,658 (#21 most common name)

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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#13. Debra

Debra is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 21,441
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 46 (#2,023 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 341,346 (#7 most common name)

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#12. Carol

Carol is a name of German origin meaning "free man".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 22,320
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 59 (#1,816 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 222,654 (#16 most common name)

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Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#11. Diane

Diane is a name of Latin origin meaning "divine".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 25,295
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 58 (#1,833 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 210,627 (#17 most common name)

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#10. Donna

Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning "lady of the home".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 25,986
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 57 (#1,849 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 270,333 (#10 most common name)

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#9. Nancy

Nancy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "grace".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 28,868
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 193 (#827 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 286,812 (#9 most common name)

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Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock

#8. Kathleen

Kathleen is a name of Irish origin meaning "pure".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 29,347
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 178 (#873 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 224,341 (#15 most common name)

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#7. Karen

Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 29,725
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 298 (#578 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 332,533 (#8 most common name)

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#6. Deborah

Deborah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 36,064
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 265 (#630 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 430,541 (#5 most common name)

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#5. Barbara

Barbara is a name of Greek origin meaning "foreign".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 36,159
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 200 (#798 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 345,723 (#6 most common name)

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#4. Linda

Linda is a name of Italian origin meaning "beautiful".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 43,924
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 219 (#742 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 564,363 (#2 most common name)

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#3. Patricia

Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 45,896
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 161 (#950 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 459,686 (#3 most common name)

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pixelheadphoto digitalskillet // Shutterstock

#2. Susan

Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 47,760
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 186 (#847 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 437,773 (#4 most common name)

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s_oleg // Shutterstock

#1. Mary

Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 50,117
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 810 (#212 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 625,609 (#1 most common name)

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