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鈥攁nd you'd actually be historically accurate. James and Susan were in fact two of the most popular names of the decade.

compiled a list of the most popular baby names for girls in the 50s in Washington, D.C. using data from the . 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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#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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