North carolina's most popular baby names in 2002

In the year 2002, North Carolina saw a surge in the popularity of some classic and timeless baby names. The top baby girl names were led by Madison, which was the most popular name in the state that year. Following close behind were the equally charming names Hannah and Emily, which were also highly sought-after by new parents.

For baby boys, the top names in North Carolina were William, Jacob, and Joshua. These names exude strength and tradition, making them an enduring favorite among parents. Whether you're looking for a classic name or something more unique, these top baby names of 2002 in North Carolina offer plenty of inspiration for parents-to-be.

Most popular baby girl names in North carolina in 2002

According to the Social Security Administration, the top 5 most popular baby girl names in North Carolina in 2002 were Madison, Hannah, Emily, Sarah, and Emma. Madison was the most popular name with 799 babies given that name, followed closely by Hannah with 723 babies. Emily, Sarah, and Emma rounded out the top 5 with 623, 537, and 520 babies given those names, respectively.

Madison

799 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) 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."
Hannah

723 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Emily

623 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Sarah

537 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Emma

520 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) named Emma
The name Emma is of German origin and means "universal" or "whole". It is a popular name in many countries and has been used since medieval times. The name has been associated with strength, beauty, and intelligence.
Elizabeth
508 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Abigail
464 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) named Abigail
The name Abigail means "my father's joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew.
Alexis
419 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Taylor
419 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Anna
416 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Lauren
401 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Olivia
399 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) named Olivia
The name Olivia is of Latin origin and means "olive tree". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 18th century. The olive tree is a symbol of peace and fertility, and the name Olivia has been associated with these qualities.
Ashley
391 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Kayla
365 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) named Kayla
The name Kayla means "pure" or "beloved" and is of Hebrew origin.
Brianna
340 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) 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".
Jessica
339 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Caroline
310 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) named Caroline
Caroline is a feminine given name that has been derived from the masculine name Carolus, which is a Latinized form of Charles. The name Caroline means "free woman" or "song of happiness".
Savannah
309 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Kaitlyn
307 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) named Kaitlyn
The name Kaitlyn is a variant of the name Caitlin, which is of Irish origin. The name is believed to mean "pure" or "clear".
Alyssa
297 baby girls born in North carolina (2002) named Alyssa
The name Alyssa is derived from the name Alicia, which means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a feminine name commonly used in English-speaking countries.

Most popular baby boy names in North carolina in 2002

In 2002, the most popular baby boy names in North Carolina were William, Jacob, Joshua, Christopher, and Michael. William was the most popular name with 1010 babies given that name, followed closely by Jacob with 982 babies. Joshua, Christopher, and Michael rounded out the top five with 890, 775, and 767 babies given those names, respectively.

William

1010 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) 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

982 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Joshua

890 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Christopher

775 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Michael

767 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Matthew
750 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
Ethan
660 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) named Ethan
The name Ethan means "firm, strong, enduring" and is of Hebrew origin.
James
653 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Andrew
583 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) 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.
David
578 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) 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.
John
572 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Austin
571 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Nicholas
565 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Tyler
540 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) 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.
Brandon
538 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) 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".
Joseph
537 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Daniel
529 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Zachary
526 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) named Zachary
The name Zachary means "remembered by God" or "God has remembered" in Hebrew.
Caleb
495 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) named Caleb
The name Caleb is of Hebrew origin and means "faithful, devoted, whole-hearted". It is a biblical name, borne by a figure in the Old Testament who was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. Caleb was known for his courage and faith in God, and his name has come to symbolize loyalty and steadfastness.
Jonathan
489 baby boys born in North carolina (2002) 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.