Most popular girl names in the 50s in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania 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.
#30. Janice
Janice is a name of English origin meaning "God is gracious".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 7,167
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 19 (#1,814 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 133,619 (#24 most common name)
#29. Catherine
Catherine is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 7,370
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 511 (#231 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 108,837 (#32 most common name)
#28. Joyce
Joyce is a name of Latin origin meaning "lord".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 7,590
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 91 (#932 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 114,976 (#29 most common name)
#27. Joan
Joan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning God is gracious.
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 7,610
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 58 (#1,209 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 85,170 (#45 most common name)
#26. Brenda
Brenda is a name of Norse origin meaning "sword".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 7,820
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 36 (#1,474 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 209,243 (#18 most common name)
#25. Christine
Christine is a name of English origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 9,241
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 83 (#992 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 113,340 (#31 most common name)
#24. Kathy
Kathy is a name of Greek origin meaning "pure".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 9,367
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 26 (#1,658 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 157,930 (#22 most common name)
#23. Judith
Judith is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "praised".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 9,654
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 75 (#1,049 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 108,753 (#34 most common name)
#22. Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "god is my oath".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 10,426
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,835 (#16 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 165,658 (#21 most common name)
#21. Janet
Janet is a name of Scottish origin meaning "God is gracious".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 10,654
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 13 (#2,038 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 167,519 (#20 most common name)
#20. Pamela
Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning "all sweetness".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 10,898
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 16 (#1,931 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 237,395 (#13 most common name)
#19. Denise
Denise is a name of Greek origin meaning "to be devoted to Bacchus".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 11,026
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 12 (#2,092 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 123,774 (#26 most common name)
#18. Cheryl
Cheryl is a name of Greek origin meaning "cherry fruit".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 11,340
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 12 (#2,092 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 171,390 (#19 most common name)
#17. Margaret
Margaret is a name of Greek origin meaning "pearl".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 12,339
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 970 (#100 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 149,583 (#23 most common name)
#16. Sandra
Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of man".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 14,897
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 33 (#1,521 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 251,594 (#12 most common name)
#15. Sharon
Sharon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "a fertile plain".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 15,531
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 87 (#966 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 232,809 (#14 most common name)
#14. Cynthia
Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning "moon goddess".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 17,051
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 103 (#856 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 263,429 (#11 most common name)
#13. Carol
Carol is a name of German origin meaning "free man".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 18,317
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 6 (#2,451 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 222,654 (#16 most common name)
#12. Diane
Diane is a name of Latin origin meaning "divine".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 18,330
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 16 (#1,931 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 210,627 (#17 most common name)
#11. Nancy
Nancy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "grace".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 19,303
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 253 (#436 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 286,812 (#9 most common name)
#10. Debra
Debra is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 19,585
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 253 (#436 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 341,346 (#7 most common name)
#9. Kathleen
Kathleen is a name of Irish origin meaning "pure".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 21,229
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 163 (#645 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 224,341 (#15 most common name)
#8. Donna
Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning "lady of the home".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 22,378
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 5 (#2,724 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 270,333 (#10 most common name)
#7. Barbara
Barbara is a name of Greek origin meaning "foreign".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 25,306
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 306 (#370 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 345,723 (#6 most common name)
#6. Karen
Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning "pure".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 25,511
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 127 (#759 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 332,533 (#8 most common name)
#5. Deborah
Deborah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "bee".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 30,613
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 94 (#911 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 430,541 (#5 most common name)
#4. Patricia
Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning "noble".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 32,573
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 70 (#1,098 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 459,686 (#3 most common name)
#3. Susan
Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 32,669
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 277 (#394 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 437,773 (#4 most common name)
#2. Linda
Linda is a name of Italian origin meaning "beautiful".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 36,627
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 342 (#334 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 564,363 (#2 most common name)
#1. Mary
Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "drop of the sea".
Pennsylvania
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 40,066
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,152 (#84 most common name)
National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 625,609 (#1 most common name)
Copyright 2026 Stacker Media, LLC
This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 5:13 AM.