Alabama's most popular baby names in 1948

In the year 1948, the state of Alabama witnessed a surge in popularity of classic and timeless names for newborns. Mary, Linda, and Barbara emerged as the top choices for baby girls, while James, John, and Robert remained strong favorites for baby boys.

The name Mary, which has been a popular choice for centuries, held the top spot for baby girls in Alabama in 1948. Linda, a name that gained popularity in the early 20th century, came in at a close second. Barbara, a name that has been in use since the Middle Ages, rounded out the top three. For baby boys, James, a name with biblical roots, held the number one spot, followed by John, another classic name with religious significance. Robert, a name with Germanic origins, completed the top three. These names reflect the enduring appeal of traditional names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Alabama in 1948

In 1948, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Alabama with 2075 babies being given this name. Linda was a close second with 2046 babies being named Linda. Barbara was the third most popular name with 1094 babies being given this name, followed by Patricia with 1058 babies and Brenda with 1005 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time, such as the popularity of Hollywood actresses and traditional family values.

  1. Mary

    2075 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  2. Linda

    2046 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) 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."

  3. Barbara

    1094 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  4. Patricia

    1058 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  5. Brenda

    1005 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  6. Betty

    796 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) named Betty

    The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

  7. Shirley

    710 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  8. Carolyn

    685 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  9. Sandra

    649 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  10. Judy

    644 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) named Judy

  11. Dorothy

    610 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) named Dorothy

    The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

  12. Martha

    541 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  13. Annie

    537 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) 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".

  14. Janice

    460 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) named Janice

    The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".

  15. Margaret

    436 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  16. Gloria

    406 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) named Gloria

    The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.

  17. Peggy

    393 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) named Peggy

    The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".

  18. Elizabeth

    365 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  19. Nancy

    342 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  20. Joyce

    342 baby girls born in Alabama (1948) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Alabama in 1948

In Alabama, 1948, the most popular baby boy name was James, with a total of 2772 babies given that name. Following closely behind were John with 1568 babies, Robert with 1541 babies, William with 1535 babies, and Charles with 1191 babies. These names were likely influenced by traditional and religious values, as well as popular culture and famous figures of the time. The popularity of these names may also reflect the cultural and social norms of the era, which placed a strong emphasis on family and community.

  1. James

    2772 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  2. John

    1568 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  3. Robert

    1541 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  4. William

    1535 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  5. Charles

    1191 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  6. Larry

    1175 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  7. Willie

    1000 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) named Willie

    The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".

  8. David

    827 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  9. Jerry

    792 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  10. Thomas

    701 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  11. Donald

    618 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  12. Ronald

    599 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  13. Michael

    571 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) named Michael

    The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.

  14. George

    571 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) 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.

  15. Jimmy

    556 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) named Jimmy

    The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  16. Richard

    498 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  17. Billy

    483 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) named Billy

    The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".

  18. Johnny

    476 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) named Johnny

    Johnny is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious" or "gift of God".

  19. Bobby

    466 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) named Bobby

    The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".

  20. Joseph

    461 baby boys born in Alabama (1948) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".