Alabama's most popular baby names in 1942

In the year 1942, the state of Alabama saw a surge in the popularity of traditional and classic baby names. Mary retained its position as the most popular baby girl name, followed closely by Betty and Barbara. These names were a reflection of the cultural and social norms of the time, as parents often chose names that were familiar and timeless.

On the other hand, James emerged as the most popular baby boy name in Alabama, followed by William and Robert. These names were also indicative of the era's preference for strong, masculine names with a sense of tradition and history. Overall, the top baby names in Alabama in 1942 were a reflection of the values and attitudes of the time, and continue to be a part of the state's rich naming history.

Most popular baby girl names in Alabama in 1942

In 1942, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Alabama, with 2351 girls given this name. Following closely behind were Betty and Barbara, with 1047 and 1031 babies named respectively. Dorothy and Linda rounded out the top five, with 772 and 746 babies given those names. These names were likely influenced by popular culture, family traditions, and religious beliefs, and they reflect the naming trends of the time.

Mary

2351 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Mary
Mary is a feminine given name that has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history. The meaning and origin of the name are uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitter" or "rebellious". The name Mary is popular in Christian cultures due to its association with the mother of Jesus Christ.
Betty

1047 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

1031 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Barbara
The name Barbara is of Greek origin, derived from the word "barbaros" which means foreign or strange. It was a popular name in the Middle Ages and was often given to girls born on St. Barbara's feast day. The name has been used in various cultures and languages around the world.
Dorothy

772 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Linda

746 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Linda
The name Linda means "beautiful" or "pretty" in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and other Romance languages. It is also derived from the Germanic word "lind," which means "gentle" or "soft."
Patricia
683 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Patricia
The name Patricia is derived from the Latin word "patricius," meaning "noble" or "aristocratic." It was a popular name in the Roman Empire and later spread throughout Europe. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and leadership.
Martha
661 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Martha
The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.
Carolyn
645 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Carolyn
The name Carolyn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a variant of Caroline, which is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "strong". The name Carolyn has been in use since the 19th century and has been a popular name for girls in the United States.
Shirley
622 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Annie
616 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Annie
The name Annie is a diminutive form of the name Ann or Anna. It is of Hebrew origin and means "gracious" or "full of grace".
Margaret
444 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Joyce
395 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Joyce
The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.
Sandra
373 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Sandra
The name Sandra is a variant of the name Alexandra, which is of Greek origin. The name Alexandra means "defender of mankind" or "protector of humanity". Therefore, it can be inferred that the name Sandra has a similar meaning.
Elizabeth
361 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Doris
345 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Peggy
341 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Sarah
334 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Sarah
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
Willie
333 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Brenda
290 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Brenda
The name Brenda is of Old Norse origin and means "sword" or "torch". It was popularized in the 20th century as a given name, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.
Helen
287 baby girls born in Alabama (1942) named Helen
Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.

Most popular baby boy names in Alabama in 1942

In 1942, the most popular baby boy names in Alabama were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name by a significant margin, with 2736 babies given that name. William and Robert came in second and third place, respectively, with 1433 and 1325 babies given those names. John and Charles rounded out the top five with 1321 and 1166 babies given those names. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical events of the time, such as World War II and the prominence of famous figures with these names, such as James Stewart and William Faulkner.

James

2736 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1433 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named William
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
Robert

1325 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named Robert
The name Robert means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobility.
John

1321 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named John
The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.
Charles

1166 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named Charles
The name Charles means "free man" or "strong man" and is of Germanic origin. It was a popular name among European royalty and has been commonly used throughout history.
Willie
968 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Jerry
744 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named Jerry
The name Jerry is a diminutive form of the name Gerald or Gerard, which means "ruler with a spear" or "brave with a spear" respectively. It is of Old German origin.
Billy
647 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Thomas
588 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named Thomas
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
Bobby
534 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
George
530 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named George
The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.
Jimmy
500 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David
499 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named David
The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.
Donald
453 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Larry
429 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named Larry
The name Larry is a shortened form of the name Lawrence, which comes from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages due to the fame of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron. The name Larry has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been a popular name in the United States.
Joe
423 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Johnny
385 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named Johnny
Johnny is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious" or "gift of God".
Joseph
377 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Richard
367 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Henry
351 baby boys born in Alabama (1942) named Henry
The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.