The baby names below saw sudden changes in usage during the 1950s thanks to the influence of historical events. I’ve written explanatory blog posts about some of them — please click the links to learn more!
To check out history-influenced baby names from other decades, visit the baby name timeline main page.
1959
1959 News: Prisca
1959 Politics: Nikita
1959 Movie character: Gigi
1959 TV characters: Torey, Rowdy, Kookie, Rapunzel, Flint, Quint, Case, Staccato, Babby, Laurieann, Yancy, Elfego, Beaver, Wally, Markham, Josh, Lane, Layne
1959 TV contestants: Perian, Darris
1959 TV personality: Barrie
1959 Actors: Rory, Sondi, Ty, Andra, Wayde
1959 Writer: Ketti
1959 Singers: Dellareese, Kitza, Damone, Fabian
1959 Musical group: Kalin
1959 Sports: Ingemar, Vada
1959 Product: Dauphine
1959 Brand: Renault
1959 Celebrity baby: Tyrone
1958
1958 Movie characters: Perri, Attila
1958 TV characters: Paladin, Hoby, Vint, Delphine, Kitty, Kelly, Bentley, Samantha, Bret
1958 TV personalities: Patrice, Elfrida
1958 Actors: Miyoshi, Sal, Brigitte, Arnaz, Tristram, Efrem
1958 Literary characters: Karil, Daintry
1958 Songs: Peggysue, Peggy, Tequila, Sayonara
1958 Singers: Sinatra, Keely, Dion
1958 Sports: Durelle, Yvon, Ryne
1958 Product: Chemise
1958 Celebrity baby: Monsita
1958 Celebrity related: Loray
1958 Beauty queen: Kahne
1957
1957 Movie characters: Zarak, Jordy, Leslie, Jett, Jordan, Vashti, Tambrey, Anastasia, Rhoda
1957 Movie: Peyton
1957 TV characters: Marsheela, Maverick, Colt, Kaseem, Penny
1957 TV contestants: Evonne, Bunny
1957 TV personality: Zsazsa
1957 Actors: Yul, Pippa, Rock, Gia, Tris, Teal, Erin, Dani
1957 Literary character: Cindylou
1957 African-American magazines: Theonita, Clintona, Sherelle
1957 Comics: Bix
1957 Songs: Tammy, Sakeena, Cindy, Marianne, Deserie, Diana
1957 Musical group: Chantel
1957 Product: Velveeta
1957 Celebrity babies: Tierney, Liza, Caroline
1957 Beauty queens: Bryndis, Sanita
1956
Here are the names for 1956.
1955
Here are the names for 1955.
1954
1954 Movie characters: Shalimar, Saadia, Corby, Vicki, Aida
1954 TV characters: Tinker, Topper, Cochise, Jan, Cheryl
1954 TV contestants: Rozana, Zana, Lili
1954 Actors: Darvi, Sheree, Rossana, Brandon, Dirk
1954 Comics: Valinda
1954 Song: Bimbo
1954 Singers: Yma, Eydie, Ferlin, Gayla
1954 Sports: Rahn
1953
1953 Politics: Dwight, Ike, Oveta
1953 Movie characters: Judalon, Angelique, Shane
1953 Movie: Enola
1953 TV characters: Chata, Tonga, Lucy, Ricky, Ricardo
1953 TV contestants: Barbi, Sunee, Wynelle
1953 Actors: Pier, Angeli, Doretta, Vanessa, Irasema, Lucille, Desi, Jerilou, Luann, Charlton
1953 Song: Haunani
1953 Singers: Joni, Mindy
1953 Sports: Yogi, Tenley, Lastarza, Marciano
1953 Celebrity babies: Taryn
1953 Beauty queen: Neva
1952
1952 Politics: Eisenhower, Adlai
1952 Movie characters: Danon, Pandora, Lygia
1952 TV character: Claudia
1952 TV contestant: Rondi
1952 TV personality: Buff
1952 Actor: Keefe
1952 Literary characters: Gevan, Fancy
1952 Comics: Valeta
1952 Song: Charmaine
1952 Celebrity baby: Leslie
1952 Beauty queen: Jodell
1951
1951 News: Glenalee, Glenna, Samia, Arlynne, Krystal, Kristine, Desnee
1951 Movie characters: Manina, Bathsheba, Kim, Choya, Sonseeahray, Rommel, Roxane
1951: Movie: Vendetta
1951 TV character: Patti
1951 TV personality: Korla
1951 Radio character: Spring
1951 Actors: Mala, Piper, Miroslava, Mitzi, Mitchum, Debralee, Dianalynn, Shaye, Dagmar
1951 Singer: Jilla
1951 Sports: Sugar
1951 Celebrity baby: Romina
1950
1950 Movie characters: Mariette, Roseanna, Samson, Delilah
1950 TV/radio character: Radames
1950 TV personality: Kyle
1950 Radio characters: Grayling, Nona
1950 Actors: Denise, Darcel, Silvana, Zorita, Broderick
1950 Comics: Vallorie, Mardeen
1950 Songs: Monalisa, Frosty, Valencia
1950 Singer: Terrea
1950 Beauty queens: Learta, Jacque
More Names
Other historically significant baby names bestowed in the U.S. during the 1950s include Barbara Gale, Dovima, Hopalong, Liberace, Milton Berle, and Sputnik.