Names of US

Alabama's most popular baby names in 1956

In the year 1956, the state of Alabama saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Deborah, and Linda were the most popular names for baby girls, while James, Michael, and John were the top choices for baby boys. These names were not only popular in Alabama, but across the United States as well.

Mary, a name of biblical origin, has been a popular choice for baby girls for centuries. Deborah, another biblical name, was also a popular choice in 1956. Linda, on the other hand, was a more modern name that gained popularity in the mid-twentieth century. James, Michael, and John, all biblical names, have been popular choices for baby boys for centuries and continue to be so today. These names reflect the cultural and religious influences of the time, as well as the desire for classic and timeless names.

Most popular baby girl names in Alabama in 1956

In 1956, the most popular baby girl names in Alabama were Mary, Deborah, Linda, Debra, and Patricia. Mary was the most popular name with 1246 babies given that name. Deborah and Linda tied for second place with 974 babies each. Debra followed closely behind with 876 babies given that name, and Patricia rounded out the top five with 842 babies given that name. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and trends of the time.

  1. Mary

    1246 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) 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

    974 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) 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. Deborah

    974 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) named Deborah

    Deborah is a Hebrew name that means "bee". It is derived from the Hebrew word "d'vorah" which also means "word" or "thing". The name Deborah is often associated with strength, wisdom, and leadership, as the biblical Deborah was a judge and prophetess who led the Israelites to victory over their enemies.

  4. Debra

    876 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) named Debra

    The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.

  5. Patricia

    842 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) 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.

  6. Brenda

    763 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) 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.

  7. Sharon

    619 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) named Sharon

    The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.

  8. Barbara

    604 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) 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.

  9. Donna

    596 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) named Donna

    The name Donna is of Italian origin and means "lady" or "woman". It was initially used as a title of respect for women of high social status in Italy, but later became a popular given name in English-speaking countries.

  10. Cynthia

    586 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) named Cynthia

    The name Cynthia means "moon goddess" or "from Mount Kynthos" in Greek. It is also associated with the Greek mythological figure Artemis, who was known as the goddess of the hunt and the moon. The name Cynthia has been in use since ancient times and has remained relatively popular throughout history.

  11. Pamela

    569 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) named Pamela

    The name Pamela is of Greek origin and means "all sweetness" or "honeyed". It was first popularized by Sir Philip Sidney in his pastoral romance "Arcadia" (1590) and later by Samuel Richardson in his novel "Pamela" (1740).

  12. Kathy

    514 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) named Kathy

    The name Kathy is a diminutive form of the name Katherine, which means "pure" or "clear". It is of Greek origin and has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.

  13. Sandra

    512 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) 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.

  14. Karen

    484 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) named Karen

    Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

  15. Susan

    479 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) named Susan

    The name Susan means "lily" or "graceful lily" in Hebrew. It was a popular name in the 1940s and 1950s, but has since declined in popularity.

  16. Teresa

    441 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) named Teresa

    The name Teresa is derived from the Greek name Therasia, which means "harvester" or "reaper". It has also been associated with the Spanish word "teresa", meaning "to harvest". The name has been popularized by Saint Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic and writer who lived in the 16th century. The name is commonly given to girls and is of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian origin.

  17. Shirley

    436 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) 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.

  18. Janice

    427 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) named Janice

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

  19. Wanda

    404 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) named Wanda

    The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".

  20. Carolyn

    398 baby girls born in Alabama (1956) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Alabama in 1956

Based on the records of popular baby boy names in Alabama in 1956, James was the most popular name with 2122 babies being given that name. Michael came in second place with 1344 babies named Michael, followed closely by John with 1311 babies named John. Robert and William were also popular names, with 1294 and 1282 babies respectively being given those names. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural and historical figures at the time, as well as traditional family names.

  1. James

    2122 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) named James

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

  2. Michael

    1344 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) 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.

  3. John

    1311 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) 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.

  4. Robert

    1294 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) 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.

  5. William

    1282 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) 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.

  6. David

    1122 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) 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.

  7. Charles

    905 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) 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.

  8. Larry

    735 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) 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.

  9. Willie

    704 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) named Willie

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

  10. Kenneth

    640 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  11. Richard

    638 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) named Richard

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

  12. Thomas

    585 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) 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.

  13. Donald

    574 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) named Donald

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

  14. Ronald

    565 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) named Ronald

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

  15. Gary

    491 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) named Gary

    The name Gary is of English origin and means "spear rule" or "spear carrier". It was originally a surname but became popular as a given name in the 20th century. People with this name are believed to be independent, practical, and analytical.

  16. Terry

    473 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) named Terry

    The name Terry is a unisex name of English origin, derived from the name Terence. The meaning of the name Terry is "smooth, tender".

  17. Jerry

    452 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) 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.

  18. Johnny

    445 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) named Johnny

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

  19. Randy

    445 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) named Randy

    The name Randy is a shortened form of the name Randall, which means "shield wolf" in Old English. It is also sometimes used as a nickname for the name Randolph.

  20. Steven

    397 baby boys born in Alabama (1956) named Steven

    The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.