Margaret was the most popular girls' name in Scotland in 1960, according to the National Records of Scotland. Elizabeth and Linda followed closely, with Mary, Anne, and Catherine also ranking high.
Popular Names and Royal Influence
Margaret topped the list, coinciding with Princess Margaret's public wedding to Antony Armstrong-Jones that year. Elizabeth, the late Queen's name, was second, possibly influenced by actress Elizabeth Taylor, then the world's highest paid movie star. Anne, the name of Princess Anne, also featured prominently.
Traditional Scottish Names
Traditional Scottish names like Fiona, Mary, Eilidh, and Morag remained popular, all making the top 100. The list reflects a mix of royal and celebrity influences alongside enduring local favorites.
Historical Context
1960 was a significant year for Scotland, marked by industrial transition, urban renewal, and the electrification of Glasgow services. It also saw the tragic Cheapside Street whisky bond fire, which killed 19 firefighters. Globally, the decade brought the Beatles, the Berlin Wall, and the moon landing.
Here are the 100 most popular girls' names registered in Scotland in 1960: Margaret, Elizabeth, Linda, Mary, Anne, Catherine, Susan, Fiona, Jacqueline, Carol, Elaine, Karen, Helen, Ann, Patricia, Alison, Christine, Sandra, Caroline, Jane, Lorraine, Lesley, Angela, Janet, Janice, Maureen, Irene, Kathleen, Jean, Heather, Yvonne, Lynn, Marion, June, Agnes, Sheila, Lorna, Gillian, Joyce, Shirley, Audrey, Joan, Marie, Pauline, Eileen, Shona, Morag, Frances, Moira, Jennifer, Diane, Dorothy, Aileen, Valerie, Wendy, Barbara, Chrstina, Sarah, Evelyn, Carole, Pamela, Rosemary, Hazel, Isabella, Julie, Gail, Carolyn, Janette, Isobel, Brenda, Lynne, Ruth, Louise, Sheena, Denise, Donna, Eleanor, Wilma, Annie, Theresa, Deborah, Sharon, Kim, Alexandra, Ellen, Grace, Rhona, Laura, Dawn, Annette, Rose, Doreen, Norma, Avril, Alice, Catrionia, Maria, Teresa, Bernadette, Jeanette.
