100 Popular 1950s Names for Boys and Girls

The 1950s were a romantic and magical decade, and baby names at the time were unique and adorable. These ’50s names are now starting to regain popularity, and you can give your little angel one of these names for a nice, old-fashioned twist. Here are 100 unique, vintage-inspired 1950s baby names for your little prince or princess!

50 Boy Names of the 1950s with Meaning

Here are some common names in the 1950s for baby boys:

1. Alan/Allen

Alan comes from Celtic origins, and means ‘rock’ or ‘handsome’.

2. Anthony

Anthony comes from the Roman name Antonius, which refers to ‘praiseworthy’.

3. Brian

Brian is a name of Celtic origin, and it means ‘noble’ or ‘high man’.

4. Bruce

Bruce comes from French origins, and is also the name of famous actors Bruce Wills and Bruce Lee.

5. Calvin

Calvin, also used as Cal, was a popular name in the 50s.

6. Carl

Carl means ‘free man’, and is of Germanic origin. It is also the name of famous hockey player Carl Voss.

7. Charles

Charles is another version of the name Carl. It is a popular name in European royalty, and is the name of the Prince of Wales.

8. Christopher

Christopher, also spelled as Kristofer, is derived from the Greek word ‘kristos’, which means ‘leader’.

9. Dale

Dale is an English name that means ‘residing in a valley’. Its feminine variant is Dayla.

10. Daniel

Daniel comes from the Hebrew language, and is the name of an important Biblical character.

11. David

David is a name of Hebrew origin, and means ‘adored’.

12. Dennis

Dennis is of Greek origin, and means ‘follower of Zeus’.

13. Donald

Donald is of Gaelic origins, and refers to ‘ruler of the world’.

14. Douglas

Douglas is a name of Gaelic origin, and is an old Scottish name. It is also used as Doug.

15. Edward

Edward comes from an Old English word, and means ‘wealthy guard’. It is common in English aristocracy.

16. Frank

Frank is the name of popular singer Frank Sinatra, and is a version of the French name Francis.

17. Gary

Gary is a name of Germanic origins, and it means ‘spear’. It is the name of popular actors Gary Coleman and Gary Cooper.

18. George

George in Greek means ‘farming man’, and is the name of two former Presidents of the United States.

19. Gerald

Gerald is of Germanic origins, and is similar to Gary. It is also a common name among saints and priests.

20. Gregory

Gregory is the English form of the Greek name Gregorios, which means ‘watchful’.

21. Howard

Howard means ‘high guardian’ or ‘brave heart’.

22. James

James comes from Hebrew origins, and means ‘following’. It is also the name of actor James Dean.

23. Jeffrey

Jeffrey is a popular name, also used as Geoffrey, and is derived from the Old Germanic language.

24. Jerry

Jerry is a form of Gerald, and originates from the Germanic language. It means ‘ruler with a spear’.

25. John

John is the Hebrew name for ‘God is merciful’, and is a common name borne by kings, popes, and saints.

26. Joseph

Joseph in Hebrew means ‘God raises’, and is the husband of Virgin Mary and father of Lord Jesus.

27. Keith

Keith is a name of Scottish origin, and refers to ‘forest’. It is a surname used by Scottish nobility.

28. Kenneth

Kenneth comes from Celtic origin, and means ‘handsome’.

29. Kevin

A popular name, Kevin is also of Celtic origin, and means ‘kind’ or ‘gentle’.

30. Larry

Larry is a short version of Lawrence, and is of Latin origin. It is borne by TV personality Larry King.

31. Lawrence

Lawrence is derived from the Latin name Laurentius, and is the name of renowned football player Lawrence Taylor.

32. Leo

Leo, meaning ‘lion’, is the name of beloved actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

33. Mark

Mark is a name of Latin origin, and means ‘warlike’. It is a version of Marcus, and is derived from Mars, the Roman God of war.

34. Michael

Michael is of Hebrew origins, and is borne by numerous famous personalities, like Michael Jackson and Michael Jordan.

35. Patrick

Patrick is a name of Latin origin, and means ‘nobleman’. It is the name of Ireland’s patron Saint Patrick.

36. Paul

Paul is a name of Latin origins, and is masculine for Paula, which means ‘small’ or ‘petite’.

37. Peter

Peter is of Greek origin, and means ‘rock’. It is a name commonly borne by saints.

38. Ralph

Ralph is the name of designer Ralph Lauren, and is a precious, vintage name.

39. Randy

Randy is a Germanic name, coming from Randolph, meaning ‘shield’.

40. Raymond

Raymond is an English or a French name, and means ‘counsel’ or ‘advise’.

41. Richard

Richard is a name of Germanic origin, and refers to ‘daring power’, and is the name of former US President Richard Nixon.

42. Robert

Robert is the name of actor Robert Downey, Jr., and is of Germanic origin, meaning ‘brilliant fame’.

43. Ronald

Ronald is the English derivative of the Old Germanic words ‘ragin’ meaning ‘advice’, and ‘wald’ meaning ‘rule’.

44. Scott

Scott is of Gaelic origins, and refers to someone ‘speaking Gaelic’.

45. Stephen

Stephen is the Greek name for a ‘man with a crown’, and is also the name of American horror-fiction writer Stephen King.

46. Theodore

Theodore, or Theo or Teddy, means ‘gift of God’.

47. Thomas

Thomas comes from Armenic origins, and means ‘twin’.

48. Timothy

Timothy is of the Old Greek Timotheos or Latin Timotheus, and means ‘honored by God’.

49. Walter

Walter is the German name for ‘army ruler’.

50. William

William is a Germanic name, and means ‘strong mind’ and ‘protection’.

50 Girl Names of the 1950s with Meaning

Here are 50 adorable ’50s baby girl names:

1. Anna

Anne, or Anna, comes from a Hebrew name that means ‘gracious’ or ‘favored’.

2. Audrey

Audrey, name of renowned actress Audrey Hepburn, means ‘noble strength’.

3. Barbara

Barbara is the name of former First Lady Barbara Bush. It comes from the Greek language, and means ‘foreigner’.

4. Beverly

Beverly is an Old English name that has been popularized by the posh locality Beverly Hills in Los Angeles. It refers to ‘coming from the stream of beavers’.

5. Bonnie

Bonnie is a Scottish name, and means ‘attractive’. It is a diminutive of the name Bonita.

6. Brenda

Brenda is the feminine form of Brendon, and is an Old Norse word for ‘sword’.

7. Carolyn

Carolyn or Caroline is of German origin, and mean ‘free woman’. It is the feminine variant of Carolous.

8. Cheryl

Cheryl is French for ‘darling’ or ‘beloved’. It is the name of British actress Cheryl Campbell.

9. Christine

Christine is a name of Latin origin, and refers to a Christian woman. It is the French version of Christina.

10. Cindy

Cindy comes from the name Cynthia, which has Greek origins. It refers to a child of Cynthus, a mountain in Greek mythology.

11. Connie

Connie comes from the name Constance, which has Latin origins. It means ‘permanent’.

12. Deborah

Deborah comes from the Hebrew language, and means ‘from a bee swarm’.

13. Denise

Denise is a name of Greek origins, and means ‘dedicated to God’.

14. Diane

Diane is a name of Latin origin, and means ‘divine woman’. Diana is the Goddess of hunting in Roman mythology.

15. Donna

Donna in Italian means ‘lady-like’. It is also the name of popular fashion designer, Donna Karan.

16. Elaine

Elaine is a classic name that means ‘bright’ or ‘shining light’.

17. Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, and means ‘promise of God’.

18. Evelyn

Evelyn is a common name from the 50s, and means ‘wished for child’.

19. Gail

Gail is a shorter version of Abigail, which in Hebrew refers to ‘father’s delight’.

20. Gloria

Gloria, coming from Latin origins, means ‘a woman of glory’. It is the name of popular musician Gloria Estefan.

21. Jane

Jane is an adorable Hebrew name, and it means ‘God is gracious’.

22. Janet

Janet is the Hebrew name for ‘God is merciful’, and is also used as Jane or Jan, and is borne by novelist Jane Austin.

23. Janice

Janice is the Hebrew name for ‘God is merciful’, and is also used as Janess or Shanice.

24. Judith

Judith is the Hebrew word for a ‘Judea woman’, and is the feminine form of Judah.

25. Karen

Karen comes from Greek origins, and means ‘chaste’ or ‘pure’. It is also used as Carena.

26. Katherine

This name is Greek for ‘pure’.

27. Kathleen

This name, like Katherine, comes from the Greek language, and means ‘chaste’. It is also used as Cathleen or Cathlyn.

28. Kathy

Kathy is often used as a shorter version of Katherine or Kathlyn, and is the name of famous actresses Kathy Baker and Kathy Bates.

29. Laura

Laura comes from Latin origins, and refers to the laurel tree, an aromatic evergreen shrub. The laurel was used as a symbol of victory and honor in Rome.

30. Lilian

Similar to Lily, Lilian is a unique vintage name.

31. Linda

Linda in German refers to ‘tender woman’, and in Spanish, it means ‘pretty’. It may be used as Melinda.

32. Lisa

Lisa is a version of Elizabeth, which is of Hebrew origins and means ‘promise of God’. It is also the name of actress Lisa Kudrow.

33. Margaret

Margaret is derived from the Greek word ‘margarites’, meaning ‘pearl’.

34. Maria

Maria is also used as Mary or Mariyam, and it is of Hebrew origins. It means ‘wished for child’.

35. Martha

Martha is a name of Armenic origins, and means ‘lady of the house’.

36. Mary

Mary is a common Christian name because of the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene, and means ‘wished for child’. It can even mean ‘bitter’.

37. Nancy

Nancy is a Hebrew name, and means ‘filled with grace’. It is derived from Anna or Agnes.

38. Pamela

Pamela is a name of Greek origin, and means ‘sweet’.

39. Patricia

Patricia is the Latin name for ‘noble woman’ or ‘aristocrat’, and is feminine for Patrick.

40. Paula

Paula is a name of Latin origin, and means ‘petite’ or ‘tiny’. It is also used as a French surname.

41. Peggy

Peggy comes from the name Meggy, which is diminutive of Margaret, meaning ‘pearl’.

42. Rebecca

Rebecca is of Hebrew origins and means ‘one whole ties and joins’. She is the wife of Isaac in the Bible.

43. Rosa

Rosa is a Spanish or Latin word, and refers to ‘a rose’.

44. Sandra

Sandra is of Greek origin, and means ‘guardian of humanity’. It comes from Alexandra.

45. Sharon

Sharon is of Hebrew origin, and means ‘from fertile fields and forests’.

46. Shirley

Shirley comes from the Old English language, and refers to a ‘sunny meadow’.

47. Susan

Susan means ‘lily’ in Hebrew, and is a form of Susanna or Shoshana in Hebrew.

48. Theresa

Theresa refers to the Greek name for ‘summer harvest’, and is used as Teresa or Terri as well.

49. Veronica

Veronica, or Ronnie or Vera, means ‘she who brings victory’.

50. Virginia

Virginia means ‘pure’ or ‘chaste’, and can be used as Ginny.

The 1950s were full of unique and traditional baby name choices, and they are starting to step into the spotlight once again. Use these adorable and lovely names for your little ones, or use them as inspiration and give them a modern twist!