North carolina's most popular baby names in 1942

In the year 1942, the state of North Carolina witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Linda, and Barbara were the top three names given to baby girls, while James, William, and Robert were the most popular names given to baby boys.

Mary, a classic name that has been popular for centuries, held the top spot for baby girls in North Carolina in 1942. Linda, a name that had gained popularity in the early 20th century, came in at a close second. Barbara, a name that had been steadily gaining popularity since the 1920s, rounded out the top three. For baby boys, James, William, and Robert were the most popular names, reflecting a trend towards traditional and timeless names.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1942

In North Carolina in 1942, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with a total of 2416 babies given that name. The second most popular name was Linda, with 1495 babies given that name. Barbara came in third place with 1356 babies named that, followed by Betty with 1296 babies and Brenda with 974 babies. These were the top 5 baby girl names in North Carolina in 1942.

  1. Mary

    2416 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) 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

    1495 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) 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

    1356 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) 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. Betty

    1296 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) named Betty

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

  5. Brenda

    974 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) 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. Carolyn

    923 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) 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.

  7. Patricia

    864 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) 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.

  8. Shirley

    818 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) 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.

  9. Nancy

    753 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) named Nancy

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

  10. Dorothy

    688 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) named Dorothy

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

  11. Margaret

    646 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) named Margaret

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

  12. Joyce

    630 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) 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.

  13. Judy

    612 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) named Judy

  14. Annie

    601 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) 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".

  15. Peggy

    561 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) named Peggy

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

  16. Martha

    552 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) 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.

  17. Doris

    480 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) 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.

  18. Elizabeth

    465 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) 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. Frances

    455 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) named Frances

    Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".

  20. Sandra

    455 baby girls born in North carolina (1942) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 1942

In North Carolina in the year 1942, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 3621 babies given this name, followed by William with 2219 babies, Robert with 1723 babies, John with 1605 babies, and Charles with 1343 babies. These names are classic and timeless, and continue to be popular choices for baby boys today.

  1. James

    3621 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) named James

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

  2. William

    2219 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) 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.

  3. Robert

    1723 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) 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. John

    1605 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) 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.

  5. Charles

    1343 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) 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. Jerry

    845 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) 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.

  7. Thomas

    826 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) 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.

  8. Larry

    799 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) 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. David

    789 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) 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.

  10. George

    708 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) 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.

  11. Richard

    646 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) named Richard

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

  12. Bobby

    643 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) named Bobby

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

  13. Donald

    590 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) named Donald

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

  14. Willie

    582 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) named Willie

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

  15. Billy

    525 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) named Billy

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

  16. Joseph

    523 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) named Joseph

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

  17. Kenneth

    457 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) named Kenneth

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

  18. Jimmy

    456 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) named Jimmy

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

  19. Douglas

    444 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) named Douglas

    The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".

  20. Ronald

    427 baby boys born in North carolina (1942) named Ronald

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