Alabama's most popular baby names in 1959

In the year 1959, the state of Alabama saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Donna, and Linda were the top three names for baby girls, while James, Michael, and David were the most popular names for baby boys.

Mary, a classic name with biblical roots, has been a popular choice for baby girls for centuries. Donna, meaning "lady" in Italian, was a fashionable name in the 1950s and 60s. Linda, a name of Spanish origin meaning "pretty," was also a favorite among parents in Alabama in 1959. Meanwhile, James, a traditional name with English origins, was the most popular name for baby boys in the state that year, followed closely by Michael, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God," and David, a name with biblical roots meaning "beloved."

Most popular baby girl names in Alabama in 1959

Based on the data from Alabama in 1959, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Donna, Linda, Cynthia, and Debra. Mary was the most popular name with 1049 babies being given that name. Donna was the second most popular name with 850 babies given that name, followed by Linda with 775 babies. Cynthia and Debra rounded out the top five with 772 and 705 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, as well as family and cultural traditions.

  1. Mary

    1049 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) 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. Donna

    850 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  3. Linda

    775 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) 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."

  4. Cynthia

    772 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  5. Debra

    705 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) named Debra

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

  6. Patricia

    683 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  7. Deborah

    591 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  8. Sandra

    590 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  9. Brenda

    589 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  10. Pamela

    562 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) 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).

  11. Teresa

    548 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  12. Kathy

    530 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) 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. Sharon

    524 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  14. Susan

    505 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  15. Karen

    467 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) named Karen

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

  16. Lisa

    453 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) named Lisa

    The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".

  17. Barbara

    448 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  18. Wanda

    377 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) named Wanda

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

  19. Debbie

    371 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) named Debbie

    The name Debbie is a diminutive form of the name Deborah. It is of Hebrew origin and means "bee".

  20. Janice

    351 baby girls born in Alabama (1959) named Janice

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

Most popular baby boy names in Alabama in 1959

In 1959, the most popular baby boy name in Alabama was James, with a total of 1872 babies being given that name. The second most popular name was Michael, with 1332 babies being named that. David was the third most popular name, with 1212 babies being given that name. William and John rounded out the top five, with 1103 and 1096 babies being named those names, respectively. These names reflect the traditional and classic naming trends of the time, with biblical and royal influences being prevalent.

  1. James

    1872 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) named James

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

  2. Michael

    1332 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) 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. David

    1212 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  4. William

    1103 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) 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. John

    1096 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  6. Robert

    1084 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  7. Charles

    828 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) 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. Kenneth

    646 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) named Kenneth

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

  9. Timothy

    590 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) named Timothy

    The name Timothy is of Greek origin and means "honoring God" or "one who honors God". It is derived from the Greek name Timotheos, which is a combination of the words "timao" meaning to honor and "theos" meaning God.

  10. Richard

    589 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) named Richard

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

  11. Mark

    551 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) named Mark

    The name Mark is derived from the Latin name "Marcus" which means "dedicated to Mars", the Roman god of war. It is a popular name among Christians as it is the name of one of the four Gospel writers in the New Testament. The name Mark is also associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and leadership.

  12. Willie

    535 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) named Willie

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

  13. Larry

    531 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  14. Terry

    514 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) 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".

  15. Thomas

    480 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  16. Jerry

    433 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) 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.

  17. Gregory

    431 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) named Gregory

    The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".

  18. Donald

    423 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) named Donald

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

  19. Ronald

    415 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) named Ronald

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

  20. Ricky

    405 baby boys born in Alabama (1959) named Ricky

    The name Ricky is a diminutive form of the name Richard, which means "brave ruler" or "strong ruler".