North carolina's most popular baby names in 1956

In the year 1956, North Carolina witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The state saw a mix of traditional and modern names for both baby boys and girls. For baby girls, Deborah, Mary, and Linda were the most popular names, while James, William, and Michael topped the list for baby boys.

Deborah, a Hebrew name meaning "bee," was a popular choice for baby girls. Mary, a classic name meaning "bitter," was also a favorite among North Carolina parents. Linda, a Spanish name meaning "pretty," was the third most popular name for baby girls in the state. For baby boys, James, a timeless name meaning "supplanter," was the most popular, followed by William, a name of English origin meaning "resolute protector," and Michael, a Hebrew name meaning "who is like God." These names reflect the diverse cultural influences that have shaped North Carolina's history and continue to shape its present.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1956

In North Carolina in 1956, the most popular baby girl names were Deborah, Mary, Linda, Debra, and Patricia. Deborah was the most popular name with 1554 babies given that name, followed closely by Mary with 1521 babies. Linda, Debra, and Patricia were also popular choices with 1283, 1178, and 1164 babies respectively given those names.

Deborah

1554 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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

1521 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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

1283 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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."
Debra

1178 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Patricia

1164 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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.
Susan
989 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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.
Sharon
971 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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.
Cynthia
932 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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.
Brenda
887 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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
878 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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.
Donna
860 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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
856 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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).
Karen
828 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Teresa
817 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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.
Kathy
788 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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.
Sandra
729 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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.
Wanda
670 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Carolyn
630 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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.
Nancy
553 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Betty
540 baby girls born in North carolina (1956) 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 1956

In North Carolina in 1956, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Michael, David, and Robert. James was the most popular name with 2922 babies given that name, followed by William with 2044 babies, Michael with 1948 babies, David with 1841 babies, and Robert with 1762 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture, family traditions, and religious beliefs.

James

2922 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

2044 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) 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.
Michael

1948 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) 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.
David

1841 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) 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.
Robert

1762 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) 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
1667 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) 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
1317 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) 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
989 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) 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
957 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
895 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) 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
887 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Kenneth
879 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Ronald
852 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Randy
735 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) 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.
Gary
720 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) 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
691 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) 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.
Joseph
669 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Terry
610 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) 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".
Mark
575 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) named Mark
The name Mark is derived from the Latin name "Marcus" which means "dedicated to Mars", the Roman god of war. It is a popular name among Christians as it is the name of one of the four Gospel writers in the New Testament. The name Mark is also associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and leadership.
Steven
572 baby boys born in North carolina (1956) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.