North carolina's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, North Carolina saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for baby girls and boys. Mary, Betty, and Barbara topped the list of most popular names for baby girls, while James, William, and Robert were the most common names given to baby boys.

Mary, a timeless name that has been popular for centuries, held the top spot for baby girls in North Carolina in 1940. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, and Barbara, which means "stranger" or "foreigner," were also popular choices for parents looking for classic names. Meanwhile, James, a name with biblical origins that means "supplanter," was the most popular name for baby boys, followed by William, which means "resolute protector," and Robert, which means "bright fame." These names continue to be popular choices for parents today, proving that traditional names never go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1940

In 1940, the most popular baby girl name in North Carolina was Mary, with a total of 2282 babies given that name. Following Mary, the next four most popular names were Betty with 1372, Barbara with 1150, Shirley with 952, and Linda with 729 babies given those names. These were the top 5 baby girl names in North Carolina in 1940.

Mary

2282 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) 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

1372 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

1150 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) 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

952 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) 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.
Linda

729 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) 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."
Dorothy
702 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Nancy
692 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Patricia
691 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) 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
602 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) 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.
Margaret
590 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Peggy
569 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Annie
554 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) 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".
Joyce
538 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) 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.
Martha
515 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) 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.
Doris
512 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) 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.
Frances
449 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Helen
447 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) 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.
Elizabeth
422 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) 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.
Brenda
409 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) 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.
Alice
394 baby girls born in North carolina (1940) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 1940

Based on the data from 1940, the most popular baby boy names in North Carolina were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 3065 babies given that name, followed by William with 1903 babies, Robert with 1531 babies, John with 1456 babies, and Charles with 1260 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical events during that time period.

James

3065 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1903 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) 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

1531 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) 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

1456 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) 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

1260 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) 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.
Jerry
745 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) 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.
Thomas
725 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) 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.
Bobby
722 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
David
692 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) 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.
George
657 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) 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.
Larry
568 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) 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.
Richard
563 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Billy
549 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Donald
543 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Willie
533 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Joseph
468 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Kenneth
427 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jimmy
369 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Harold
363 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) 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.
Walter
360 baby boys born in North carolina (1940) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".