North carolina's most popular baby names in 1950

In the year 1950, North Carolina saw a surge in newborns with some of the most popular names of the decade. Baby girls were often named Linda, Mary, and Brenda, while baby boys were commonly named James, William, and Robert.

Linda was the most popular name for baby girls in North Carolina in 1950, and it held the top spot for several years in a row. Mary was a close second, followed by Brenda. For baby boys, James was the most popular name, with William and Robert not far behind. These names were a reflection of the traditional values and cultural norms of the time, and they continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1950

In North Carolina in the year 1950, the most popular baby girl name was Linda, with 2343 babies given this name. Following Linda were Mary (2033), Brenda (1604), Patricia (1355), and Barbara (1179), making up the top 5 most popular baby girl names in the state that year.

Linda

2343 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) 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

2033 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) 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

1604 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) 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.
Patricia

1355 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) 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.
Barbara

1179 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) 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.
Carolyn
913 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) 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.
Sandra
868 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) 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.
Betty
840 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Judy
810 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) named Judy
Shirley
771 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) 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.
Deborah
742 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) named Deborah
Deborah is a Hebrew name that means "bee". It is derived from the Hebrew word "d'vorah" which also means "word" or "thing". The name Deborah is often associated with strength, wisdom, and leadership, as the biblical Deborah was a judge and prophetess who led the Israelites to victory over their enemies.
Nancy
715 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Susan
591 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) 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.
Joyce
590 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) 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
565 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) 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.
Wanda
565 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Margaret
536 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janice
519 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Donna
503 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) named Donna
The name Donna is of Italian origin and means "lady" or "woman". It was initially used as a title of respect for women of high social status in Italy, but later became a popular given name in English-speaking countries.
Elizabeth
501 baby girls born in North carolina (1950) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 1950

In 1950, the most popular baby boy names in North Carolina were James, William, Robert, John, and Larry. James was the most popular name with 3324 babies given that name, followed by William with 2311 babies, Robert with 1831 babies, John with 1705 babies, and Larry with 1601 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional family names.

James

3324 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

2311 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) 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

1831 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) 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

1705 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) 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.
Larry

1601 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) 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.
Charles
1494 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) 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.
David
1364 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) 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.
Michael
1131 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) 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.
Thomas
928 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) 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
916 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) 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
816 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
780 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard
777 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
George
722 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) 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.
Kenneth
687 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Gary
614 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) 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.
Joseph
576 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Willie
545 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Roger
509 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) named Roger
The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".
Johnny
470 baby boys born in North carolina (1950) named Johnny
Johnny is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious" or "gift of God".