North carolina's most popular baby names in 1948

In the year 1948, North Carolina witnessed a surge in the popularity of baby names that were both traditional and trendy. The most popular baby girl names of the year were Linda, Mary, and Brenda, while the top baby boy names were James, William, and Robert.

Linda, which means "pretty" or "beautiful" in Spanish, was the most popular name for baby girls in North Carolina in 1948. Mary, a classic name with biblical roots, held the second spot. Brenda, a name that was gaining popularity during that time, secured the third spot. On the other hand, James, a name that has been popular for centuries, was the most favored name for baby boys. William, a name that means "resolute protector," held the second spot, while Robert, which means "bright fame," came in at number three. These names continue to be popular even today, reflecting their timeless appeal.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1948

According to the data from 1948, Linda was the most popular baby girl name in North Carolina with 2884 babies given that name. Mary was the second most popular name with 2401 babies named Mary. Brenda was the third most popular name with 1790 babies given that name. Barbara and Patricia were the fourth and fifth most popular names respectively, with 1418 and 1283 babies given those names. These were the top 5 baby girl names in North Carolina in 1948.

Linda

2884 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) 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."
Mary

2401 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) 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.
Brenda

1790 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) 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.
Barbara

1418 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) 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.
Patricia

1283 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) 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
1104 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) 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.
Betty
1054 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Judy
988 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) named Judy
Sandra
975 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) 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.
Nancy
775 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Shirley
767 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) 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.
Joyce
647 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) 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.
Margaret
604 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Martha
597 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) 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.
Susan
541 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) 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.
Janice
541 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Elizabeth
539 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) 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.
Peggy
520 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Dorothy
510 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Gloria
452 baby girls born in North carolina (1948) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 1948

In North Carolina in 1948, the most popular baby boy name was James, with a total of 3582 babies given that name. Following closely behind were William with 2421 babies, Robert with 2022 babies, John with 1893 babies, and Charles with 1503 babies. These five names were the most commonly chosen for baby boys in North Carolina during that year.

James

3582 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

2421 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) 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

2022 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) 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

1893 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) 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

1503 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) 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.
Larry
1398 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) 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.
David
1371 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) 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.
Thomas
1001 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) 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
961 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) 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.
Ronald
894 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Michael
828 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) 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.
George
813 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) 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.
Donald
792 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard
777 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kenneth
689 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Joseph
689 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Gary
591 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) named Gary
The name Gary is of English origin and means "spear rule" or "spear carrier". It was originally a surname but became popular as a given name in the 20th century. People with this name are believed to be independent, practical, and analytical.
Willie
575 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Bobby
563 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Johnny
553 baby boys born in North carolina (1948) named Johnny
Johnny is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious" or "gift of God".