Most popular boy 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.

Keep reading to see if your name made the list.

#30. Brian

Brian is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 13,320
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,048 (#204 most common name, -92.1% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 112,317 (#35 most common name)

#29. Bruce

Bruce is a name of Scottish origin meaning "from the brushwood thicket".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 13,380
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 328 (#473 most common name, -97.5% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 136,459 (#32 most common name)

#28. Dennis

Dennis is a name of Greek origin meaning "follower of Dionysius".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 14,021
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 295 (#521 most common name, -97.9% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 204,267 (#21 most common name)

#27. Timothy

Timothy is a name of Greek origin meaning "honouring God".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 14,605
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,200 (#175 (tie) most common name, -91.8% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 198,322 (#22 most common name)

#26. Frank

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

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 17,061
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 766 (#260 most common name, -95.5% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 112,321 (#34 most common name)

#25. George

George is a name of Greek origin meaning "farmer".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 18,819
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,040 (#101 (tie) most common name, -89.2% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 181,029 (#25 most common name)

#24. Jeffrey

Jeffrey is a name of English origin meaning "pledge of peace".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 19,031
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 680 (#287 (tie) most common name, -96.4% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 184,663 (#24 most common name)

#23. Donald

Donald is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "world ruler".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 19,387
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 248 (#603 most common name, -98.7% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 273,576 (#14 most common name)

#22. Ronald

Ronald is a name of English origin meaning "counsel rule".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 19,730
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 359 (#440 most common name, -98.2% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 271,146 (#15 most common name)

#21. Kenneth

Kenneth is a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 21,302
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 820 (#248 (tie) most common name, -96.2% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 262,822 (#16 most common name)

#20. Kevin

Kevin is a name of Irish origin meaning "noble".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 21,545
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,094 (#98 most common name, -90.3% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 158,998 (#27 most common name)

#19. Stephen

Stephen is a name of Greek origin meaning "wreath, crown".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 21,703
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 742 (#267 most common name, -96.6% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 207,276 (#20 most common name)

#18. Anthony

Anthony is a name of Latin origin meaning "praiseworthy".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 22,364
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 6,009 (#21 most common name, -73.1% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 136,652 (#30 most common name)

#17. Daniel

Daniel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my judge".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 22,890
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 7,283 (#12 most common name, -68.2% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 243,725 (#19 most common name)

#16. Edward

Edward is a name of English origin meaning "prosperous".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 23,791
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,483 (#133 most common name, -93.8% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 188,328 (#23 most common name)

#15. Peter

Peter is a name of Greek origin meaning "rock".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 24,105
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,320 (#153 most common name, -94.5% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 102,752 (#39 most common name)

#14. Gary

Gary is a name of English origin meaning "spearman".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 25,128
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 188 (#720 (tie) most common name, -99.3% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 329,935 (#12 most common name)

#13. Charles

Charles is a name of Germanic origin meaning "free man".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 25,248
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 3,490 (#49 most common name, -86.2% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 361,178 (#10 most common name)

#12. Paul

Paul is a name of Latin origin meaning "humble".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 28,478
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 965 (#218 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 253,191 (#17 most common name)

#11. Steven

Steven is a name of Greek origin meaning "crown".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 29,584
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,431 (#139 (tie) most common name, -95.2% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 333,657 (#11 most common name)

#10. Mark

Mark is a name of Latin origin meaning "God of war".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 30,358
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,294 (#155 most common name, -95.7% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 382,585 (#9 most common name)

#9. Joseph

Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 46,884
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 8,554 (#7 most common name, -81.8% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 300,006 (#13 most common name)

#8. Thomas

Thomas is a name of Greek origin meaning "twin".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 51,108
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 4,275 (#39 most common name, -91.6% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 454,385 (#8 most common name)

#7. William

William is a name of Germanic origin meaning "vehement protector".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 54,678
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 5,939 (#22 (tie) most common name, -89.1% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 591,226 (#6 most common name)

#6. Richard

Richard is a name of German origin meaning "dominant ruler".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 56,412
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,217 (#169 most common name, -97.8% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 535,453 (#7 most common name)

#5. David

David is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "beloved".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 56,673
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 7,344 (#10 most common name, -87.0% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 769,951 (#5 most common name)

#4. James

James is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 64,913
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 7,673 (#8 most common name, -88.2% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 843,776 (#1 most common name)

#3. Michael

Michael is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 80,844
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 8,557 (#6 most common name, -89.4% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 837,466 (#2 most common name)

#2. John

John is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "Yahweh has been gracious".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 85,359
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 5,351 (#26 most common name, -93.7% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 797,917 (#4 most common name)

#1. Robert

Robert is a name of Germanic origin meaning "fame" or "bright".

New York
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 86,590
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,782 (#67 most common name, -96.8% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 830,391 (#3 most common name)