In the year 1945, North Carolina saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. Mary, Linda, and Barbara were the most popular names for baby girls, while James, William, and Robert topped the list for baby boys.
Mary, a timeless classic, held the top spot for baby girls for the 12th year in a row. Linda, a name that had been steadily gaining popularity since the 1930s, came in at a close second. Barbara, a name with Greek origins meaning "stranger" or "foreigner," rounded out the top three. For baby boys, James, a name with Hebrew origins meaning "supplanter," held the top spot for the 19th consecutive year. William, a name with Germanic origins meaning "resolute protector," and Robert, a name with Old German origins meaning "bright fame," followed closely behind. These names reflect a time when traditional, often biblical, names were highly favored by parents in North Carolina.
According to data from 1945, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in North Carolina with 2223 occurrences. Linda followed closely with 1730 occurrences, while Barbara, Betty, and Brenda rounded out the top five with 1265, 1108, and 1099 occurrences, respectively. These names were the most commonly given to baby girls in North Carolina during that year.
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.
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."
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.
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
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.
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
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.
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".
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
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.
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
According to the records of North Carolina in 1945, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 3364 babies named after it, followed by William with 2139 babies, Robert with 1725 babies, John with 1612 babies, and Charles with 1222 babies. These names were very popular during that time and were commonly given to baby boys in North Carolina.
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The name Thomas is of Aramaic origin and means "twin". It is a common name in many cultures and has been used for centuries.
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.
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
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.
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Johnny is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious" or "gift of God".