Alabama's most popular baby names in 1946

In the year 1946, the state of Alabama witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names, which have now become a part of the state's history. Mary, Linda, and Barbara were the most popular names given to baby girls, while James, John, and William topped the list for baby boys.

The name Mary, which means "bitter" or "beloved," has been a popular choice for baby girls for centuries. Linda, which means "pretty" or "soft," became popular in the mid-20th century and was inspired by the song "Linda" by Jack Lawrence. Barbara, which means "foreign," was also a popular choice for baby girls in 1946. Meanwhile, James, John, and William are classic names that have been popular for centuries and continue to be popular choices for baby boys in Alabama and around the world.

Most popular baby girl names in Alabama in 1946

In 1946, the most popular baby girl name in Alabama was Mary, with a total of 2106 babies given that name. Linda came in second with 1426 babies, followed by Barbara with 1046 babies, Betty with 1045 babies, and Patricia with 958 babies. These names reflect the traditional and popular names of the time, with Mary being a classic name that has been popular for centuries, and Linda, Barbara, Betty, and Patricia being common names for baby girls during that era.

Mary

2106 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) 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.
Linda

1426 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) 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."
Barbara

1046 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) 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.
Betty

1045 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Patricia

958 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) 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.
Carolyn
738 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) 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
687 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) 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.
Brenda
671 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) 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.
Sandra
646 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) 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.
Dorothy
636 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Judy
583 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) named Judy
Martha
579 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) 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.
Annie
524 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) 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
426 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janice
398 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Peggy
374 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Joyce
353 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) 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.
Carol
352 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) named Carol
The name Carol is derived from the Old Germanic word "karl", which means "man" or "free man". It is often associated with the Christmas season due to the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells".
Nancy
350 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Elizabeth
347 baby girls born in Alabama (1946) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Alabama in 1946

In 1946, the most popular baby boy names in Alabama were James, John, William, Robert, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 2711 babies given this name, followed by John with 1489 babies. William came in third place with 1439 babies named William, followed closely by Robert with 1428 babies. Charles rounded out the top five with 1211 babies given this name. These names were likely chosen for their traditional and classic sound, and were popular choices for parents during this time period.

James

2711 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

1489 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) 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.
William

1439 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) 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

1428 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) 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.
Charles

1211 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) 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
962 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Larry
838 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) 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.
Jerry
821 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) 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.
David
685 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) 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.
Thomas
671 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) 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.
Jimmy
593 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
George
554 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) 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.
Richard
547 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Billy
525 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Donald
488 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Johnny
487 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) named Johnny
Johnny is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious" or "gift of God".
Bobby
479 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Ronald
459 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Joseph
428 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Kenneth
407 baby boys born in Alabama (1946) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".