People often use a variety of factors when deciding on their baby’s name. Some ask the opinion of friends and family, while others may review books, or use the name of their favorite athlete or television and movie star. When choosing a name for their newborn, each generation typically has its own popular monikers, many of which may reflect cultural influences and trends of the time.
Names like Brenda and Janet, which were among the most popular baby names given during the boomer generation, no longer rank in the top 1,000 girls’ names in the U.S. Among the current classrooms filled with Charlottes, Olivias, and Sophias, it’s getting harder to find a Brenda these days. (Here are the biggest name fads of the last 40 years.)
24/7 Tempo reviewed name data from the U.S. Social Security Administration to determine baby boomers’ most popular girls’ names. Names were ranked based on the total number of girls that received the name from 1946 to 1964. Supplemental name data for 2022 is also from the SSA.
Baby boomers’ most popular girl name, Mary, has hardly lost its appeal. It still ranks among the 150 most popular girls’ names in the U.S., compared to some of the other top names of that generation that have plummeted in use – like Barbara, which ranked at 976 in 2022.
Other boomer names that remain popular are Carol, Sharon, Deborah, and Donna. The name Donna – which was already the 10th most popular girls’ name in the nation when teen rocker Ritchie Valens released his hit single “Donna” in 1958 – rose in popularity the next year to No. 5. (Donna isn’t the only name to become more fashionable after the release of a song. Here are the most popular music-inspired baby names.)
Here are baby boomers’ most popular girl names
25. Carolyn
- Girls named Carolyn, 1946-1964: 246,527 (0.67% of all girls)
- Girls named Carolyn, 2022: 192 (0.01% of all girls)
24. Kathy
- Girls named Kathy, 1946-1964: 254,613 (0.69% of all girls)
- Girls named Kathy, 2022: 75 (<0.00% of all girls)
23. Margaret
- Girls named Margaret, 1946-1964: 276,540 (0.75% of all girls)
- Girls named Margaret, 2022: 2,180 (0.12% of all girls)
22. Janet
- Girls named Janet, 1946-1964: 286,080 (0.78% of all girls)
- Girls named Janet, 2022: 103 (0.01% of all girls)
21. Cheryl
- Girls named Cheryl, 1946-1964: 305,157 (0.83% of all girls)
- Girls named Cheryl, 2022: 44 (<0.00% of all girls)
20. Elizabeth
- Girls named Elizabeth, 1946-1964: 308,179 (0.84% of all girls)
- Girls named Elizabeth, 2022: 6,964 (0.39% of all girls)
19. Lisa
- Girls named Lisa, 1946-1964: 330,425 (0.90% of all girls)
- Girls named Lisa, 2022: 289 (0.02% of all girls)
18. Diane
- Girls named Diane, 1946-1964: 353,077 (0.96% of all girls)
- Girls named Diane, 2022: 82 (<0.00% of all girls)
17. Brenda
- Girls named Brenda, 1946-1964: 381,724 (1.04% of all girls)
- Girls named Brenda, 2022: 187 (0.01% of all girls)
16. Kathleen
- Girls named Kathleen, 1946-1964: 387,244 (1.05% of all girls)
- Girls named Kathleen, 2022: 227 (0.01% of all girls)
15. Pamela
- Girls named Pamela, 1946-1964: 394,035 (1.07% of all girls)
- Girls named Pamela, 2022: 93 (0.01% of all girls)
14. Carol
- Girls named Carol, 1946-1964: 419,506 (1.14% of all girls)
- Girls named Carol, 2022: 80 (<0.00% of all girls)
13. Cynthia
- Girls named Cynthia, 1946-1964: 423,014 (1.15% of all girls)
- Girls named Cynthia, 2022: 312 (0.02% of all girls)
12. Sharon
- Girls named Sharon, 1946-1964: 435,758 (1.18% of all girls)
- Girls named Sharon, 2022: 199 (0.01% of all girls)
11. Debra
- Girls named Debra, 1946-1964: 448,095 (1.22% of all girls)
- Girls named Debra, 2022: 39 (<0.00% of all girls)
10. Sandra
- Girls named Sandra, 1946-1964: 491,778 (1.34% of all girls)
- Girls named Sandra, 2022: 230 (0.01% of all girls)
9. Donna
- Girls named Donna, 1946-1964: 495,453 (1.35% of all girls)
- Girls named Donna, 2022: 101 (0.01% of all girls)
8. Nancy
- Girls named Nancy, 1946-1964: 497,862 (1.35% of all girls)
- Girls named Nancy, 2022: 262 (0.01% of all girls)
7. Deborah
- Girls named Deborah, 1946-1964: 581,906 (1.58% of all girls)
- Girls named Deborah, 2022: 296 (0.02% of all girls)
6. Karen
- Girls named Karen, 1946-1964: 587,276 (1.60% of all girls)
- Girls named Karen, 2022: 196 (0.01% of all girls)
5. Barbara
- Girls named Barbara, 1946-1964: 631,924 (1.72% of all girls)
- Girls named Barbara, 2022: 271 (0.02% of all girls)
4. Susan
- Girls named Susan, 1946-1964: 749,662 (2.04% of all girls)
- Girls named Susan, 2022: 206 (0.01% of all girls)
3. Patricia
- Girls named Patricia, 1946-1964: 788,693 (2.14% of all girls)
- Girls named Patricia, 2022: 221 (0.01% of all girls)
2. Linda
- Girls named Linda, 1946-1964: 1,059,700 (2.88% of all girls)
- Girls named Linda, 2022: 346 (0.02% of all girls)
1. Mary
- Girls named Mary, 1946-1964: 1,125,411 (3.06% of all girls)
- Girls named Mary, 2022: 2,097 (0.12% of all girls)