Most popular girl names in the 50s in Washington, D.C.

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June 4, 2026
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Most popular girl names in the 50s in Washington, D.C.

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 Washington, D.C. 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. Janice

Janice is a name of English origin meaning "God is gracious".

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 954
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 7 (#677 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 133,619 (#24 most common name)

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Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock

#29. Jacqueline

Jacqueline is a name of French origin meaning "may God protect".

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,001
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 16 (#338 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 60,445 (#71 most common name)

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#28. Robin

Robin is a name of German origin meaning "fame-bright".

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,019
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 16 (#338 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 82,407 (#52 most common name)

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#27. Sheila

Sheila is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "heavenly".

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,057
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 16 (#338 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 70,167 (#61 most common name)

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#26. Catherine

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,078
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 95 (#95 most common name)

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

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#25. Cheryl

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,186
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 95 (#95 most common name)

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

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#24. Janet

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,200
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 95 (#95 most common name)

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

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Darren Brode // Shutterstock

#23. Joyce

Joyce is a name of Latin origin meaning "lord".

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,212
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 95 (#95 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 114,976 (#29 most common name)

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#22. Carolyn

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,275
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 95 (#95 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 124,063 (#25 most common name)

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#21. Margaret

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,495
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 211 (#22 most common name)

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

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#20. Carol

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,504
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 211 (#22 most common name)

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

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#19. Sandra

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,511
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 211 (#22 most common name)

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

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#18. Denise

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,541
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 211 (#22 most common name)

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

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Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock

#17. Elizabeth

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,620
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 360 (#5 most common name)

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

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#16. Debra

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,632
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 360 (#5 most common name)

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

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Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#15. Brenda

Brenda is a name of Norse origin meaning "sword".

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,655
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 360 (#5 most common name)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 209,243 (#18 most common name)

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#14. Pamela

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,746
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 360 (#5 most common name)

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

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#13. Kathleen

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,769
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 360 (#5 most common name)

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

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#12. Nancy

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,783
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 360 (#5 most common name)

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

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Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#11. Diane

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,838
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 360 (#5 most common name)

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

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#10. Cynthia

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,874
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 360 (#5 most common name)

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

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#9. Donna

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,089
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 360 (#5 most common name)

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

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Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock

#8. Sharon

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,482
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 360 (#5 most common name)

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

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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#7. Barbara

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,736
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 360 (#5 most common name)

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

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#6. Karen

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,826
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 360 (#5 most common name)

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

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#5. Susan

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 3,053
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 5 (#518 most common name)

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

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#4. Linda

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 3,979
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 5 (#518 most common name)

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

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DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock

#3. Patricia

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 4,098
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 5 (#518 most common name)

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

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Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock

#2. Deborah

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 4,203
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 6 (#457 most common name)

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

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Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock

#1. Mary

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 4,870
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 114 (#74 most common name)

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

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