Most popular boy names in the 50s in Washington, D.C.

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May 22, 2026
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Most popular boy 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 boys 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. Dennis

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,001
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 6 (#415 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 50s)

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

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#29. Christopher

Christopher is a name of English origin meaning "Christ-bearer".

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,104
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 250 (#36 most common name, -77.4% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 78,316 (#49 most common name)

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#28. Lawrence

Lawrence is a name of Latin origin meaning "from Laurentium".

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,112
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 29 (#260 most common name, -97.4% compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 91,109 (#42 most common name)

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#27. Jeffrey

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,297
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 17 (#300 (tie) most common name, -98.7% compared to the 50s)

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

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#26. Timothy

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,329
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 61 (#176 most common name, -95.4% compared to the 50s)

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

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#25. Daniel

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,441
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 351 (#19 most common name, -75.6% compared to the 50s)

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

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#24. Larry

Larry is a name of Latin origin meaning "from the place of the laurel leaves".

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,460
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 351 (#19 most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

National:
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 245,690 (#18 most common name)

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#23. Edward

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,587
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 119 (#93 most common name, -92.5% compared to the 50s)

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

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#22. Kevin

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,623
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 124 (#90 most common name, -92.4% compared to the 50s)

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

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#21. George

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,781
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 277 (#30 most common name, -84.4% compared to the 50s)

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

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#20. Anthony

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,799
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 216 (#44 most common name, -88.0% compared to the 50s)

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

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#19. Kenneth

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,846
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 40 (#224 (tie) most common name, -97.8% compared to the 50s)

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

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#18. Donald

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 1,987
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 40 (#224 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

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

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#17. Gary

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,000
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 40 (#224 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 50s)

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

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#16. Gregory

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,081
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 29 (#260 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 50s)

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

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#15. Steven

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,150
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 41 (#223 most common name, -98.1% compared to the 50s)

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

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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#14. Paul

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,176
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 50 (#197 (tie) most common name, -97.7% compared to the 50s)

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

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#13. Stephen

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,279
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 31 (#252 most common name, -98.6% compared to the 50s)

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

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#12. Ronald

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,288
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 5 (#481 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 50s)

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

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#11. Mark

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,496
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 39 (#226 (tie) most common name, -98.4% compared to the 50s)

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

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#10. Joseph

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 2,815
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 297 (#26 most common name, -89.4% compared to the 50s)

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

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#9. Charles

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 3,362
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 401 (#11 most common name, -88.1% compared to the 50s)

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

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#8. Thomas

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 3,615
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 348 (#20 most common name, -90.4% compared to the 50s)

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

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#7. Richard

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 3,693
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 50 (#197 (tie) most common name, -98.6% compared to the 50s)

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

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#6. David

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 5,117
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 299 (#24 (tie) most common name, -94.2% compared to the 50s)

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

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Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock

#5. William

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 5,670
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 686 (#1 most common name, -87.9% compared to the 50s)

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

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#4. Robert

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 6,611
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 212 (#45 most common name, -96.8% compared to the 50s)

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

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Vasilyev Alexandr // Shutterstock

#3. James

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 7,020
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 653 (#3 most common name, -90.7% compared to the 50s)

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

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#2. John

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 7,255
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 460 (#8 most common name, -93.7% compared to the 50s)

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

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#1. Michael

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

Washington, D.C.
- Babies from 1950 to 1959: 7,715
- Babies from 2015 to 2024: 386 (#12 most common name, -95.0% compared to the 50s)

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

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