Most popular boy names in the 50s in New Jersey

Written by:
May 22, 2026
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

Most popular boy names in the 50s in New Jersey

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 boys in the 50s in New Jersey using data from the . Names are ranked by number of babies born.

Keep reading to see if your name made the list.

You may also like: Hottest Decembers in New Jersey since 1895
1 / 30
Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock

#30. Gregory

Gregory is a name of Latin origin meaning "watchful, alert".

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 4,743
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 249 (#332 (tie) most common name, -94.8% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 178,453 (#26 most common name)

2 / 30
Elvira Koneva // Shutterstock

#29. Raymond

Raymond is a name of German origin meaning "protector".

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 4,821
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 322 (#273 most common name, -93.3% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 108,932 (#38 most common name)

3 / 30
2p2play // Shutterstock

#28. Dennis

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 5,001
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 170 (#430 (tie) most common name, -96.6% compared to the 50s)

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

4 / 30
Alena Vostrikova // Shutterstock

#27. Bruce

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 5,283
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 154 (#458 most common name, -97.1% compared to the 50s)

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

5 / 30
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock

#26. Daniel

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 6,117
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 3,510 (#12 most common name, -42.6% compared to the 50s)

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

You may also like: Highest-earning counties in New Jersey
6 / 30
Shutterstock

#25. Frank

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 6,467
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 407 (#231 most common name, -93.7% compared to the 50s)

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

7 / 30
Serenko Natalia // Shutterstock

#24. Jeffrey

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 6,549
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 315 (#277 (tie) most common name, -95.2% compared to the 50s)

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

8 / 30
Capable97 // Shutterstock

#23. Ronald

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 6,733
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 156 (#453 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 50s)

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

9 / 30
Anna Grigorjeva // Shutterstock

#22. Stephen

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 6,749
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 357 (#255 (tie) most common name, -94.7% compared to the 50s)

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

10 / 30
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock

#21. Anthony

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 7,055
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 3,501 (#14 most common name, -50.4% compared to the 50s)

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

You may also like: Counties with the oldest homes in New Jersey
11 / 30
Fotonium // Shutterstock

#20. Donald

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 7,057
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 114 (#586 most common name, -98.4% compared to the 50s)

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

12 / 30
Lopolo // Shutterstock

#19. Kevin

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 7,125
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,054 (#95 most common name, -85.2% compared to the 50s)

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

13 / 30
Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock

#18. Peter

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 7,192
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 554 (#179 most common name, -92.3% compared to the 50s)

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

14 / 30
Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock

#17. George

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 7,834
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 832 (#114 most common name, -89.4% compared to the 50s)

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

15 / 30
Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#16. Steven

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 8,028
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 665 (#145 most common name, -91.7% compared to the 50s)

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

You may also like: Best public colleges in New Jersey
16 / 30
Falcona // Shutterstock

#15. Kenneth

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 8,369
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 413 (#227 most common name, -95.1% compared to the 50s)

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

17 / 30
Tatiana Chekryzhova // Shutterstock

#14. Paul

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 8,743
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 424 (#219 (tie) most common name, -95.2% compared to the 50s)

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

18 / 30
Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#13. Gary

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 8,781
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 72 (#763 most common name, -99.2% compared to the 50s)

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

19 / 30
Lipatova Maryna // Shutterstock

#12. Charles

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 9,479
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,501 (#57 most common name, -84.2% compared to the 50s)

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

20 / 30
Tomsickova Tatyana // Shutterstock

#11. Edward

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 9,595
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 667 (#144 most common name, -93.0% compared to the 50s)

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

You may also like: Highest-rated Class of 2025 football recruits from New Jersey
21 / 30
Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#10. Mark

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 10,091
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 630 (#158 most common name, -93.8% compared to the 50s)

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

22 / 30
rSnapshotPhotos // Shutterstock

#9. David

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 17,663
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,993 (#18 most common name, -83.1% compared to the 50s)

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

23 / 30
pratan ounpitipong // Shutterstock

#8. Joseph

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 18,233
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 4,258 (#5 most common name, -76.6% compared to the 50s)

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

24 / 30
MIA Studio // Shutterstock

#7. Thomas

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 19,045
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,121 (#38 most common name, -88.9% compared to the 50s)

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

25 / 30
Vasiuk Iryna // Shutterstock

#6. Richard

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 19,117
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 608 (#162 most common name, -96.8% compared to the 50s)

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

You may also like: The 20 most affordable cities in New Jersey to buy a house
26 / 30
Katrina Elena // Shutterstock

#5. William

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 21,719
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,626 (#24 most common name, -87.9% compared to the 50s)

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

27 / 30
Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#4. James

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 23,304
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 3,694 (#8 most common name, -84.1% compared to the 50s)

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

28 / 30
Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#3. Michael

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 25,134
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 4,260 (#4 most common name, -83.1% compared to the 50s)

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

29 / 30
Thammasak Lek // Shutterstock

#2. John

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 33,443
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 2,707 (#23 most common name, -91.9% compared to the 50s)

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

30 / 30
burlakova_anna // Shutterstock

#1. Robert

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

New Jersey
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 33,838
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 1,408 (#62 most common name, -95.8% compared to the 50s)

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

You may also like: Record snowfalls in New Jersey history

Trending Now