North carolina's most popular baby names in 1939

In the year 1939, North Carolina witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Betty, and Barbara were some of the most preferred names for baby girls, while James, William, and Robert were the most popular names for baby boys.

Mary, a name of Hebrew origin, means "bitter" or "beloved." Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, means "God is my oath." Barbara, a name of Greek origin, means "foreign" or "strange." On the other hand, James, a name of Hebrew origin, means "supplanter." William, a name of Germanic origin, means "resolute protector," while Robert, also of Germanic origin, means "bright fame." These timeless names continue to be popular even today, and their significance and meaning still hold strong.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1939

According to data from 1939, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls in North Carolina with 2289 occurrences. Betty was the second most popular name with 1466 occurrences, followed by Barbara with 1272 occurrences. Shirley was the fourth most popular name with 1017 occurrences, and Nancy was the fifth most popular name with 679 occurrences.

Mary

2289 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) 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

1466 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

1272 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) 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.
Shirley

1017 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) 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.
Nancy

679 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Margaret
658 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Dorothy
638 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Carolyn
590 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) 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.
Annie
589 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) 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".
Peggy
582 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Patricia
537 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) 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.
Doris
533 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) 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.
Martha
505 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) 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.
Joyce
467 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) 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.
Helen
449 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) 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.
Frances
429 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Linda
425 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) 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."
Elizabeth
384 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) 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.
Alice
360 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) named Alice
The name Alice is of German origin and means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has been the name of many notable fictional characters in literature and film.
Sarah
333 baby girls born in North carolina (1939) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 1939

In North Carolina, 1939, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 3042 babies being named James. William came in second with 1845 babies, followed by Robert with 1513 babies, John with 1414 babies, and Charles with 1279 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

James

3042 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1845 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) 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

1513 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) 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

1414 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) 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

1279 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) 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.
Bobby
771 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Thomas
667 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) 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.
Jerry
651 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) 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.
George
633 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) 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.
David
629 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) 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
555 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Billy
550 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Willie
487 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Joseph
486 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Richard
484 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Larry
457 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) 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.
Kenneth
415 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jimmy
371 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Paul
363 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) named Paul
The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.
Harold
361 baby boys born in North carolina (1939) named Harold
The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.