North carolina's most popular baby names in 1997

In the year 1997, North Carolina saw a surge in popularity of traditional names for newborns. The most popular baby girl names were Hannah, Sarah, and Emily, while the top baby boy names were Christopher, Joshua, and Michael. These names have been a favorite among parents for decades and continue to remain popular even today.

Hannah, meaning "grace" or "favor," has been a popular name since biblical times. Sarah, meaning "princess," has been a classic name for centuries. Emily, meaning "industrious" or "striving," has been a favorite among literary figures and continues to be a popular choice for parents. Christopher, meaning "bearer of Christ," Joshua, meaning "God is salvation," and Michael, meaning "who is like God," are all biblical names that have stood the test of time. These names are not only timeless but also carry a sense of strength and meaning that parents find appealing.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 1997

In North Carolina in 1997, the most popular baby girl names were Hannah, Sarah, Emily, Taylor, and Ashley. Hannah was the most popular name with 815 babies given that name, followed by Sarah with 706 babies, Emily with 675 babies, Taylor with 666 babies, and Ashley with 614 babies. These names were likely chosen for their popularity, cultural significance, or personal meaning to the parents.

Hannah

815 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Hannah
The name Hannah means "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. The name has been popular among Christians for centuries and is still commonly used today.
Sarah

706 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Sarah
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
Emily

675 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Emily
The name Emily means "rival" or "industrious" and is of Latin origin. It became popular in the 19th century and is still a commonly used name today.
Taylor

666 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Taylor
The name Taylor is of English origin and is derived from the occupation of a tailor, who was responsible for making and altering clothing. It is a unisex name, meaning it can be used for both boys and girls. The name Taylor is often associated with qualities such as creativity, independence, and determination.
Ashley

614 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Ashley
The name Ashley is of English origin and means "ash tree meadow". It is a unisex name that was originally more commonly given to boys, but has become more popular for girls in recent years.
Jessica
603 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Jessica
The name Jessica is of Hebrew origin and means "God beholds" or "God sees". It is derived from the name Yiskah in the Old Testament, which was the name of a daughter of Haran and sister of Milcah and Iscah. The name Jessica has been in use since the 16th century and became popular in the 20th century.
Kayla
542 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Madison
525 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Madison
The name Madison is of English origin and has two possible meanings. One interpretation is that it means "son of Matthew," while another suggests it means "gift of God." It became a popular name for girls in the 1980s and 1990s, likely due to its association with the character Madison in the movie "Splash."
Brittany
516 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Brittany
The name Brittany is derived from the region of Brittany in France. Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to come from the Latin word "Britannia," which means "Britain" or "of the Britons." It is also thought to be related to the Celtic word "breton," which means "from Brittany." The name is commonly given to girls in English-speaking countries.
Alexis
503 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Alexis
The name Alexis is derived from the Greek name Alexios, which means "defender" or "helper". It is a unisex name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Elizabeth
461 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) 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.
Samantha
451 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Samantha
The name Samantha means "listener" or "listener of God" and is of English origin.
Megan
433 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Megan
The name Megan is of Welsh origin and means "pearl". It is a shortened version of the name Margaret, which also means "pearl".
Lauren
405 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Lauren
The name Lauren is of English origin and means "bay laurel" or "crowned with laurel". It is a feminine name that has been popular since the 1940s.
Anna
390 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Anna
The name Anna is of Hebrew origin and means "grace" or "favor". It is a simple and classic name that has been popular for centuries.
Morgan
390 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Morgan
The name Morgan is of Welsh origin and is derived from the Old Welsh name Morcant, which means "sea circle" or "sea chief". It was originally a masculine name but has become more commonly used as a feminine name in recent years. The name is associated with strength, leadership, and intelligence.
Savannah
387 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Savannah
The name Savannah is of Spanish origin and is derived from the word "sabana," which means "large, flat tropical grassland." It is also sometimes associated with the word "savanna," which refers to a similar type of ecosystem. The name is often given to girls and has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is often associated with natural beauty and a sense of openness and freedom.
Brianna
373 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Brianna
The name Brianna is of Irish origin and is a variant of the name Brian. It is derived from the Gaelic word "brígh" which means "strength" or "virtue". Therefore, the name Brianna can be interpreted to mean "strong" or "virtuous".
Amber
368 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Amber
The name Amber is derived from the fossilized tree resin of the same name. It is believed to originate from the Arabic word "anbar," which means ambergris or amber. The name is often associated with the color of the gemstone, which ranges from a pale yellow to a deep orange-brown. The name Amber has been used for both boys and girls, but it is more commonly given to girls. The name is often associated with warmth, light, and energy.
Rachel
366 baby girls born in North carolina (1997) named Rachel
The name Rachel is of Hebrew origin and means "ewe" or "female sheep". It is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and has been used since biblical times. The name is often associated with qualities such as beauty, grace, and kindness.

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 1997

In North Carolina in 1997, the most popular baby boy names were Christopher, Joshua, Michael, Jacob, and William. Christopher was the most popular name with 1016 babies given that name, followed closely by Joshua with 1002 babies. Michael, Jacob, and William rounded out the top five with 986, 976, and 976 babies given those names, respectively.

Christopher

1016 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Joshua

1002 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) named Joshua
The name Joshua means "God is salvation" or "Yahweh is salvation" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name and was the name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Joshua later became the successor to Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Michael

986 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) 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.
William

976 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) 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.
Jacob

976 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) named Jacob
The name Jacob means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that was borne by one of the patriarchs of the Old Testament.
Matthew
920 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Austin
848 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) named Austin
The name Austin is of English origin and means "great, magnificent". It is derived from the Latin name Augustus, which was a title given to Roman emperors. The name became popular in the Middle Ages and has remained a popular name choice for boys to this day.
Brandon
808 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) named Brandon
The name Brandon is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "brom" meaning "broom" or "gorse" and "dun" meaning "hill". Therefore, the name Brandon means "hill covered in broom or gorse".
James
739 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Zachary
719 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Tyler
684 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) named Tyler
The name Tyler is of English origin, and its meaning is "maker of tiles". It is derived from an occupational surname for a person who made or laid tiles. The name Tyler gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, and it has remained a popular name for boys.
John
681 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) 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.
Nicholas
667 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) named Nicholas
The name Nicholas is derived from the Greek name Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), which means "victory of the people". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures, and is often associated with Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants.
Andrew
642 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) named Andrew
The name Andrew means "manly" or "warrior" and is of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which comes from the word "andrós" meaning "man". Andrew is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and is often used in Christian traditions due to the apostle Andrew being one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.
Justin
620 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) named Justin
The name Justin is of Latin origin and means "just, upright, righteous." It was a popular name among early Christians and has been used throughout history by various notable figures.
David
593 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) 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.
Joseph
564 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Daniel
550 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Robert
548 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) 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.
Jonathan
533 baby boys born in North carolina (1997) 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.