North carolina's most popular baby names in 1974

In 1974, North Carolina welcomed a new generation of babies with some of the most popular names of the time. For baby girls, Jennifer, Angela, and Kimberly topped the charts as the most popular names. These names were not only trendy but also carried a sense of classic elegance and grace that made them stand out from the rest.

Meanwhile, baby boys were given names like Michael, Christopher, and James, which were equally popular and timeless. These names exuded strength, power, and a sense of tradition that made them popular choices for parents across the state. Overall, the most popular baby names of 1974 in North Carolina reflected a desire for names that were both fashionable and enduring, and would continue to be popular for years to come.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1974

In North Carolina in 1974, the most popular baby girl name was Jennifer, with 1388 babies given that name. The second most popular name was Angela, given to 952 baby girls. Kimberly was the third most popular name, with 798 babies given that name. Amy was the fourth most popular name, given to 765 baby girls, and Melissa rounded out the top five with 561 babies given that name.

Jennifer

1388 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Jennifer
The name Jennifer is of Welsh origin and means "fair and smooth". It was first used as a given name in the United States in the 20th century and became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
Angela

952 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Angela
The name Angela is derived from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger of God". It is a feminine name that has been used in various cultures and languages, including English, Italian, Spanish, and German. Angela is often associated with qualities such as kindness, compassion, and grace.
Kimberly

798 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Kimberly
The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.
Amy

765 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Amy
The name Amy means "beloved" or "dearly loved" in French and Latin. It is a popular name for girls and has been used since the Middle Ages.
Melissa

561 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Melissa
The name Melissa is derived from the Greek word "melissa," which means "honey bee." It was a popular name in ancient Greece and is often associated with sweetness and industriousness.
Heather
559 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Heather
The name Heather is of English origin and is derived from the name of a flowering plant that grows in Scotland. The name is often associated with the color purple and is said to symbolize admiration, good luck, and protection.
Stephanie
502 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Stephanie
The name Stephanie is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.
Tonya
462 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Tonya
The name Tonya is a feminine given name of uncertain origin and meaning. It is believed to be a variant of the name Tanya or Tania, which may have Slavic or Latin roots. The name Tonya has been popularized in the United States since the mid-20th century.
Crystal
454 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Crystal
The name Crystal is of Greek origin and means "ice or clear". It is often associated with the mineral quartz crystal and is a popular name choice for girls.
Michelle
454 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Michelle
Michelle is a feminine given name of French origin. The name means "who is like God" or "gift from God." It is a variation of the name Michael, which comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God." The name Michelle has been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity over time.
Tammy
448 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) 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.
Mary
414 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) 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.
Lisa
414 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Shannon
353 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Shannon
The name Shannon is of Irish origin and is derived from the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. The name means "wise river" or "old river". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Wendy
352 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Wendy
The name Wendy is of English origin and is believed to have been created by author J.M. Barrie for his character Wendy Darling in his play "Peter Pan." The meaning of the name is unknown, as it was not derived from any existing name or word.
April
346 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named April
April is a feminine given name that is derived from the name of the fourth month of the year. The name April has no specific meaning beyond being associated with the spring season in which the month of April falls.
Elizabeth
337 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) 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.
Christy
331 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Christy
The name Christy is a variant of the name Christina or Christine, which means "follower of Christ" or "anointed one".
Tracy
330 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Tracy
The name Tracy is of Irish origin and means "warrior" or "fighter". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Karen
323 baby girls born in North carolina (1974) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 1974

According to data from 1974, the most popular baby boy names in North Carolina were Michael, Christopher, James, William, and Jason. Michael was the most popular name with 1747 babies given that name, followed closely by Christopher with 1647 babies. James, William, and Jason rounded out the top five with 1477, 1120, and 1115 babies respectively given those names. These names were likely popular due to their classic and timeless nature.

Michael

1747 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) 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.
Christopher

1647 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
James

1477 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1120 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) 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.
Jason

1115 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
David
1085 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) 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
1039 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) 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
970 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) 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.
Brian
875 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) named Brian
The name Brian is of Irish origin and means "strong, virtuous, and honorable". It is a popular name for boys in Ireland and has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.
Charles
617 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) 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.
Kevin
609 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) named Kevin
The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name Caoimhín, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".
Timothy
527 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) 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.
Joseph
517 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Jonathan
509 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) named Jonathan
The name Jonathan means "gift of God" or "God has given" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, appearing in the Old Testament as the name of King Saul's son and close friend of David.
Anthony
490 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Jeffrey
488 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
Richard
460 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Eric
444 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) named Eric
The name Eric is of Scandinavian origin and means "eternal ruler" or "ruler of all". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Thomas
443 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) 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.
Mark
430 baby boys born in North carolina (1974) 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.