North carolina's most popular baby names in 1954

In the year 1954, North Carolina witnessed a surge of baby names that have stood the test of time. The top baby girl names in the state were Deborah, Mary, and Linda, while the top baby boy names were James, William, and Robert.

Deborah, meaning "bee," was a popular choice for baby girls in North Carolina, reflecting the biblical character of the same name. Mary, a timeless classic, remained a favorite among parents, while Linda, meaning "pretty" or "beautiful," added a touch of charm to the list. For baby boys, James, meaning "supplanter," topped the charts, followed closely by William, meaning "resolute protector," and Robert, meaning "bright fame." These names continue to be popular choices for parents in North Carolina and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1954

According to records from 1954, the most popular baby girl names in North Carolina were Deborah, Mary, Linda, Patricia, and Brenda. Deborah was the most popular name with 1735 babies given that name, followed closely by Mary with 1699 babies. Linda was the third most popular name with 1510 babies, while Patricia and Brenda rounded out the top five with 1332 and 1096 babies given those names, respectively.

Deborah

1735 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) 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.
Mary

1699 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) 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.
Linda

1510 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) 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."
Patricia

1332 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) 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.
Brenda

1096 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) 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
1047 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) 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.
Debra
994 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Susan
902 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) 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.
Sandra
870 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) 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.
Pamela
850 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) named Pamela
The name Pamela is of Greek origin and means "all sweetness" or "honeyed". It was first popularized by Sir Philip Sidney in his pastoral romance "Arcadia" (1590) and later by Samuel Richardson in his novel "Pamela" (1740).
Cynthia
818 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) named Cynthia
The name Cynthia means "moon goddess" or "from Mount Kynthos" in Greek. It is also associated with the Greek mythological figure Artemis, who was known as the goddess of the hunt and the moon. The name Cynthia has been in use since ancient times and has remained relatively popular throughout history.
Carolyn
750 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) 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.
Kathy
734 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) named Kathy
The name Kathy is a diminutive form of the name Katherine, which means "pure" or "clear". It is of Greek origin and has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Donna
718 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) 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.
Betty
660 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Wanda
645 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Sharon
630 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) named Sharon
The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.
Nancy
619 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Karen
569 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Shirley
565 baby girls born in North carolina (1954) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 1954

According to data from 1954, the most popular baby boy names in North Carolina were James, William, Robert, David, and Michael. James was the most popular name with 3071 occurrences, followed by William with 2114 occurrences, Robert with 1877 occurrences, David with 1836 occurrences, and Michael with 1819 occurrences. These names were likely chosen by parents for their traditional and timeless appeal.

James

3071 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

2114 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) 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

1877 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) 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.
David

1836 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) 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

1819 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) 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.
John
1793 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) 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
1405 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) 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
1161 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) 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
1039 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
952 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) 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.
Donald
944 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Kenneth
856 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Gary
828 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) 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.
Jerry
824 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) 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
740 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Joseph
679 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Terry
594 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) named Terry
The name Terry is a unisex name of English origin, derived from the name Terence. The meaning of the name Terry is "smooth, tender".
George
593 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) 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.
Ricky
565 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) named Ricky
The name Ricky is a diminutive form of the name Richard, which means "brave ruler" or "strong ruler".
Danny
553 baby boys born in North carolina (1954) named Danny
The name Danny is a diminutive form of the name Daniel, which means "God is my judge" in Hebrew. It is often used as a standalone name and has been a popular name for boys in the United States since the mid-20th century.