North carolina's most popular baby names in 1959

In the year of 1959, the state of North Carolina saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. The top baby girl names were dominated by Mary, Donna, and Cynthia, while the top baby boy names were James, David, and Michael.

Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries, retained its top spot as the most common name for baby girls in North Carolina. Donna and Cynthia followed closely behind, both names that were popular in the 1950s and 60s. For baby boys, James remained the most popular name, followed by David and Michael, both of which have remained popular choices for parents throughout the years. These names reflect a time of traditional values and a desire for classic, timeless names for newborns.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1959

In 1959, the most popular baby girl names in North Carolina were Mary, Donna, Cynthia, Teresa, and Linda. Mary was the most popular name with 1256 babies given that name, followed closely by Donna with 1219 babies. Cynthia was the third most popular name with 1060 babies, followed by Teresa with 1039 babies, and Linda with 1020 babies. These were the top 5 baby girl names in North Carolina in 1959.

  1. Mary

    1256 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  2. Donna

    1219 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  3. Cynthia

    1060 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  4. Teresa

    1039 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  5. Linda

    1020 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) 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."

  6. Deborah

    949 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  7. Patricia

    895 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  8. Susan

    822 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  9. Sandra

    802 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  10. Pamela

    793 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) 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).

  11. Debra

    788 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) named Debra

    The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.

  12. Sharon

    764 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  13. Kathy

    761 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  14. Karen

    725 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) named Karen

    Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

  15. Brenda

    722 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  16. Barbara

    715 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  17. Debbie

    573 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) named Debbie

    The name Debbie is a diminutive form of the name Deborah. It is of Hebrew origin and means "bee".

  18. Tammy

    548 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) named Tammy

    The name Tammy is a diminutive form of the name Tamara, which has Hebrew origins and means "palm tree" or "date tree". The exact meaning of Tammy is unclear, but it is generally considered to be a modern English name that is derived from Tamara.

  19. Wanda

    541 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) named Wanda

    The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".

  20. Lisa

    532 baby girls born in North carolina (1959) named Lisa

    The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 1959

In North Carolina in 1959, the most popular baby boy names were James, David, Michael, William, and Robert. James was the most popular name, with 2427 babies given that name. David and Michael followed closely behind with 1867 and 1843 babies given those names, respectively. William and Robert were also popular, with 1707 and 1574 babies given those names. These names reflect traditional and timeless choices for baby boys, with a focus on classic and strong-sounding names.

  1. James

    2427 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  2. David

    1867 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  3. Michael

    1843 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  4. William

    1707 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  5. Robert

    1574 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  6. John

    1410 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  7. Charles

    1155 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  8. Timothy

    974 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) named Timothy

    The name Timothy is of Greek origin and means "honoring God" or "one who honors God". It is derived from the Greek name Timotheos, which is a combination of the words "timao" meaning to honor and "theos" meaning God.

  9. Kenneth

    889 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  10. Ricky

    878 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) named Ricky

    The name Ricky is a diminutive form of the name Richard, which means "brave ruler" or "strong ruler".

  11. Richard

    851 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  12. Mark

    810 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  13. Thomas

    760 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  14. Donald

    738 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  15. Larry

    723 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  16. Gary

    618 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  17. Ronald

    605 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  18. Jerry

    602 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) 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.

  19. Jeffrey

    575 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) named Jeffrey

    The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.

  20. Terry

    568 baby boys born in North carolina (1959) 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".