North carolina's most popular baby names in 1955

In the year 1955, North Carolina witnessed a surge in baby names that were both traditional and popular. Mary, Deborah, and Linda were the top baby girl names, while James, William, and David were the top baby boy names. These names were chosen by parents who valued the timeless and classic appeal of these monikers.

Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries, continued to reign supreme in North Carolina in 1955. Deborah and Linda, two names that were gaining popularity in the mid-20th century, also made it to the top of the list. Meanwhile, James, William, and David, names that have been popular for generations, were the most common choices for baby boys. These names reflect the desire of parents to give their children names that will stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1955

In 1955, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in North Carolina with 1681 instances of the name being given. Following closely behind were Deborah with 1673 instances, Linda with 1418 instances, Patricia with 1288 instances, and Debra with 1237 instances. These names were the top 5 most popular baby girl names in North Carolina during that year.

Mary

1681 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) 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.
Deborah

1673 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) 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.
Linda

1418 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) 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

1288 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) 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.
Debra

1237 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Brenda
974 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) 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
922 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) 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.
Susan
903 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) 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
886 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) 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.
Cynthia
851 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) 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.
Teresa
760 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) named Teresa
The name Teresa is derived from the Greek name Therasia, which means "harvester" or "reaper". It has also been associated with the Spanish word "teresa", meaning "to harvest". The name has been popularized by Saint Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic and writer who lived in the 16th century. The name is commonly given to girls and is of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian origin.
Donna
759 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) 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.
Pamela
746 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) 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).
Sharon
724 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) 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.
Kathy
720 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) 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.
Carolyn
695 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) 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.
Wanda
689 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Karen
610 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Nancy
599 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Betty
562 baby girls born in North carolina (1955) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 1955

In 1955, the most popular baby boy names in North Carolina were James, William, David, Michael, and Robert. James was the most popular name with 3008 occurrences, followed by William with 2074 occurrences. David, Michael, and Robert were also popular names with 1886, 1861, and 1828 occurrences respectively. These names were likely influenced by cultural and historical factors of the time, such as popular figures and traditions.

James

3008 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

2074 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) 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.
David

1886 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) 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

1861 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) 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.
Robert

1828 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) 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
1650 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) 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
1367 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) 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
1111 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) 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
985 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
910 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) 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
861 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Kenneth
834 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Gary
830 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) 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
789 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) 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
755 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Joseph
677 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Randy
672 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) named Randy
The name Randy is a shortened form of the name Randall, which means "shield wolf" in Old English. It is also sometimes used as a nickname for the name Randolph.
Terry
621 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) 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".
Dennis
614 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) named Dennis
The name Dennis is of Greek origin and means "follower of Dionysius", the Greek god of wine and fertility. It was a popular name in ancient Greece and was later adopted by the Romans. The name has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history.
George
595 baby boys born in North carolina (1955) 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.