The 1950s was an era of greasers, poodle skirts, and rock and roll. We have compiled a list of greaser names for boys and girls from this era. Many of the names are classic, timeless and some are even a little rock n roll.
In this article
What Is A Greaser?
Greaser is the name that was given to a youth subculture that was popular in the 1950s. It was most popular with those from working-class and lower-class families.
Greasers were known for greased-back hairstyles that they did themselves through the use of a lot of hair products such as pomade or petroleum jelly.
The use of these products meant that the hair had to be frequently combed and reshaped to maintain the style. This was very aptly portrayed in the movie Grease by the T-Birds.
Girl Names From The 1950s
A
Ann – The name means ‘gracious, merciful,’ and it’s of Hebrew origin. Ann was originally a form of Hannah.
B
Barbara – A name of Greek origin and it means ‘stranger.’
Betty – A diminutive form of Elizabeth and it means ‘God is my oath.’ Betty is of English origin.
Beverly – Means ‘from the beaver stream’ and it’s of English origin.
Bonnie – Bonnie means ‘pretty girl’ and is of English origin.
Brenda – A name of Scandanavian origin and it means ‘sword.’ It is also the feminine form of Brand.
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C
Carol – Originally a feminine form of the name Charles or Carl. Carol means ‘free person’ or ‘song’ and it’s of English origin.
Carolyn – A combination name of Carol and Lyn. It means ‘womanly, beautiful,’ and it’s of English origin.
Catherine – Meaning pure Catherine is a name of Greek origin.
Cathy – The name means the diminutive form of Catherine and it’s of Greek origin.
Cheryl – Means ‘beloved’ and it’s of French origin.
Christine – The name means ‘follower of Christ’ and it’s of English origin. It is also the name given to a possessed car in the Stephen King horror novel of the same name.
Cindy – A diminutive form of Cynthia or Lucinda and it’s of Greek origin.
Connie – Means ‘constant’ and it’s of English origin. Connie is a diminutive form of Constance.
Cynthia – Title of a moon goddess, Cynthia means ‘from Kinthos’ and it’s of Greek origin.
D
Debbie – A diminutive form of Deborah and it’s of English origin.
Deborah – In the bible, Deborah is a prophet and a judge. The name means ‘bee’ and it’s of Hebrew origin.
Debra – Of English origin and it means ‘bee.’
Denise – The name means ‘a devotee of Dionysus’ and it’s of French origin.
Diane – Means divine nad is of French origin. Diane is the French version of Diana.
Donna – A name of Latin origin and it means ‘lady, woman.’
E
Elizabeth – Is a name with both Biblical and Hebrew origins. Elisheva is the Hebrew variation and Elisabet is the Greek form. The name means ‘God is my oath’ and it’s of Hebrew origins.
G
Gail – A short form of Abigail and it means ‘joy of the father.’ The name is of English origin.
Gloria – Of Latin origin and it means ‘glory to God.’
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J
Jane – The name Jane means God is gracious and it’s of English origin.
Janet – A feminine form of John and it’s of English origin. Janet means ‘God is gracious.’
Janice – A form of the name Jane and it means ‘God is gracious.’ It is a name of English origin.
Joan – Of Hebrew origin and it means ‘God is gracious.’
Joyce – This name is occasionally considered a shortening of the word rejoice. It is of English origin and it means ‘little lord.’
Judith – Means from Judaea and it’s of Hebrew origin.
Judy – A diminutive form of Judith and is of English origin. It means ‘from Judaea.’
Julie – Diminutive form of Julia and it means ‘youthful, downy.’ It is of French origin.
K
Karen – The Danish form of Katherine and it’s of Scandanavian origin. It means ‘pure.’
Kathleen – A form of Katherine and it’s of Irish origin. It means ‘pure.’
Kathy – Diminutive of Katherine and it means ‘pure.’ It is of English origin.
L
Laura – A name of Latin origin and it means ‘laurel.’
Linda – Meaning ‘pretty one’ and of Spanish origin.
Lisa – A diminutive form of Elizabeth that means ‘God is my oath.’ The name is of English origin.
M
Margaret – The name means ‘pearl’ and it’s of English origin.
Marilyn – A name of American origin and its meaning is a combination of Mary and Lynn.
Martha – In the Bible, she’s the sister of Mary and Lazarus and a friend of Jesus. Martha means ‘lady’ and is of Hebrew origin.
Mary – It is the English variant of the Latin name Maria or Greek/Hebrew Miryam. There is no verified meaning, but it is believed to have been an ancient Egyptian name that means beloved. Other possibly meanings are child wished for or sea of bitterness.
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N
Nancy – Diminutive form of Anne. Nancy means ‘grace’ and it’s of English origin.
P
Pamela – The name means ‘all honey, sweetness,’ and it’s of English origin. It is a name that was invented by Sir Phillip Sidney for a poem called Arcadia in the 1580s.
Patricia – A name of English origin and it means ‘noble.’
Paula – Meaning ‘humble, small,’ and of Latin origin.
Peggy – A diminutive form of Margaret and it means ‘pearl.’ Peggy is of English origin.
R
Rebecca – A name of Hebrew origin and it means ‘to bind.’ In the Bible, Rebecca was the wife of Isaac.
Robin – The name means bright fame and it’s of English origin.
Rose – Of English origin and it means ‘rose.’
S
Sandra – A name of English origin that means ‘defender of the people.’ The name was originally a short form of Alexandra.
Sharon – The name Sharon means of the fertile plain and it’s of Hebrew origin.
Shirley – Of English origin and it means ‘bright meadow.’
Susan – Susan means ‘lily’ and it’s of Hebrew origin.
T
Teresa – Teresa is a form of the name Theresa. St. Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic nun. The name means ‘harvester’ and it’s of Spanish origin.
V
Vicki – A diminutive form of Victoria and it’s of English origin.
W
Wanda – The name means ‘a slender, young tree,’ and it’s of Polish origin.
Boys Names From The 1950s
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A
Alan – The name means ‘little rock’ and it’s of English origin.
Anthony – A name of Latin origin but has no known meaning. It was also a Roman family name but still had no known meaning.
Arthur – Of Welsh origin and it means ‘bear.’
B
Brian – This name means ‘high, noble,’ and it’s of Irish origin. It is possibly related to the old Irish word Bre meaning hill.
Bruce – Meaning from the town of Bruis in France and of English origin. Bruce was originally a locational surname for families from the region of Bruis, France.
C
Carl – Of German origin and it means ‘manly.’
Charles – A name of English origin and it means ‘free man.’
Christopher – The name means ‘Christ-bearer’ and it’s of Greek origin.
Craig – Meaning ‘from the Crag’ and it’s of Scottish origin. A crag was an outcropping of rocks or boulders.
D
Dale – A name meaning ‘valley’ and it’s of German origin.
Daniel – Of Hebrew origin and it means ‘only God is my judge.’
Danny – The name means ‘God is my judge’ and it’s of English origin. It is a diminutive form of the name Daniel, Danielle, or Daniela.
David – Meaning ‘beloved’ and it’s of Hebrew origin.
Dennis – Originally from the Greek name Dionysius, Dennis means ‘a devotee of Dionysus’ and it’s of English origin.
Donald – The name means ‘world leader’ and it’s of Scottish origin.
Douglas – Of Scottish origin and it means ‘black blue.’
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E
Edward – A name of English origin and it means ‘wealthy guardian.’
F
Frank – Diminutive form of Francis and it means ‘free or from France.’ The name is of English origin.
G
Gary – The name means ‘spear rule’ and it’s of English origin. Gary was originally a short form of Garrett or Gareth.
George – Of Greek origin and it means ‘farmer.’
Gerald – Meaning ‘rules with a spear’ and it’s of English origin.
J
Jack – A name that means ‘God is gracious’ and it’s of English origin. Jack was originally a nickname for the given name John but it has now become a given name in its own right.
James – Meaning ‘supplanter’ and it’s of Hebrew origin. James is a common and timeless name that has been popular in almost every decade.
Jeffrey – Of English origin and it means peace of a stranger. It’s a Norman French form of a Germanic name.
Jerry – It is the diminutive form of names that begin with Jer or Ger and is of English origin.
Joe – The name means ‘God will increase’ and it’s of English origin. Historically it is a male nickname, and most often used as a short form of the name Joseph.
John – Of Hebrew origin and it means ‘God is gracious.’
Johnny – A diminutive form of John and it’s of Hebrew origin.
Joseph – A biblical name and it means ‘God will increase.’ Joseph is of Hebrew origin.
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K
Keith – A Scottish surname and it means ‘offspring, young person.’
Kenneth – The name means ‘handsome’ and it’s of Scottish origin.
Kevin – A name of Irish origin and comes from the Irish spelling Caoimhin meaning ‘handsome, beautiful.’
L
Larry – A short form of Lawrence and it’s of English origin. Larry means from Laurentum, Italy.
Lawrence – Of English origin and it means ‘laurel.’ It can be used as a given name or surname.
M
Mark – In the Bible, Mark was a disciple of Jesus. Of Latin origin, the name means ‘warlike.’
Michael – The name means who is like God and it’s of Hebrew origin. In the Bible, Michael was an archangel.
P
Patrick – Meaning ‘nobleman’ and it’s of English origin.
Paul – A name of Latin origin and it means ‘humble, small.’ In the Bible, Paul is a disciple of Christ.
Peter – In the Bible, Peter was an apostle of Christ. The name is of Greek origin and it means ‘rock.’
R
Randell – A name of English origin and it means ‘shield wolf.’ It is a form of the Germanic name Randolph.
Randy – A diminutive form of Randall or Miranda and it’s of English origin.
Raymond – Meaning ‘counsel protection’ and it’s of English origin.
Richard – Of English origin and it means ‘brave ruler.’
Robert – The name means ‘bright fame’ and it’s of English origin.
Ronald – A name of English origin and it means ‘counsel rule.’ It is a Scottish form of the name Ragnvaldr.
Roger – Of English origin and it means ‘famous spear.’
Russel – English in origin and it means ‘red.’
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S
Scott – The name means a person from Scotland and it’s of English origin. It is also used as a surname.
Steve – A short form of Stephen and of English origin.
Steven – This name means ‘crown’ and is of Greek origin.
T
Terry – A diminutive form of Terence or Theresa and it’s of English origin.
Timothy – Of Greek origin and it means ‘to honor God.’
Thomas – In the Bible, Thomas is an apostle of Christ. It means ‘a twin’ and it’s of Greek origin.
W
Walter – The name means ‘army ruler’ and is of English origin.
Wayne – Originally an English surname. The name means ‘wagon driver’ and it’s of English origin.
William – This is a name that has never really gone out of fashion and remains one of the most popular boys’ names in the last 100 years. The name means ‘with the gilded helmet’ and it’s of English origin.
Willie – A Diminutive form of William and of German origin meaning ‘with a gilded helmet.’
The Final Thought
You may have noticed from our list that many of the names from the 1950s are very traditional names. Many are timeless classics that are still extremely popular today while others are considered old-fashioned by the parents of today.
I hope that our extensive list has given you some great options for your little one if you are thinking of naming them after this rocking era.
