Names of US

Tennessee's most popular baby names in 1946

In the year 1946, the state of Tennessee saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary was the most popular name, followed closely by Linda and Patricia. Mary has been a classic name for centuries, and its popularity in Tennessee reflects its enduring appeal.

For baby boys, James was the most popular name, followed by William and Robert. These names have also stood the test of time, with James and William being among the most popular names for boys in the US for decades. Robert is also a classic name that has remained popular over the years.

Overall, the top baby names in Tennessee in 1946 reflect a preference for traditional, timeless names. While trends in baby names have come and gone over the years, these names have remained popular choices for parents looking for names that will stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Tennessee in 1946

According to records from 1946, the top five most popular baby girl names in Tennessee were Mary, Linda, Patricia, Barbara, and Brenda. Mary was the most popular name with a total of 1876 babies given that name, followed by Linda with 1826 babies. Patricia, Barbara, and Brenda were also popular choices with 1156, 1150, and 1079 babies given those names respectively.

  1. Mary

    1876 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) 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. Linda

    1826 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) 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."

  3. Patricia

    1156 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) 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.

  4. Barbara

    1150 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) 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.

  5. Brenda

    1079 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) 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.

  6. Carolyn

    983 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) 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.

  7. Betty

    982 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) named Betty

    The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

  8. Judy

    908 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) named Judy

  9. Sandra

    737 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) 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. Shirley

    722 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) named Shirley

    The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.

  11. Nancy

    637 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  12. Wanda

    589 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) named Wanda

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

  13. Martha

    505 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) named Martha

    The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.

  14. Janice

    491 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) named Janice

    The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".

  15. Margaret

    484 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  16. Joyce

    466 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) named Joyce

    The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.

  17. Dorothy

    450 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) named Dorothy

    The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

  18. Peggy

    416 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) named Peggy

    The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".

  19. Carol

    414 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) named Carol

    The name Carol is derived from the Old Germanic word "karl", which means "man" or "free man". It is often associated with the Christmas season due to the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells".

  20. Patsy

    349 baby girls born in Tennessee (1946) named Patsy

    The name Patsy is a diminutive form of the name Patricia or Patrick, which means "noble" or "patrician" in Latin. The name Patsy is commonly used as a nickname for someone with the full name Patricia or Patrick.

Most popular baby boy names in Tennessee in 1946

According to data from 1946, the most popular baby boy names in Tennessee were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 2959 babies given that name, followed by William with 1657, Robert with 1578, John with 1413, and Charles with 1380. These names have remained popular choices for baby boys over the years, although there have been some shifts in their rankings.

  1. James

    2959 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) named James

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

  2. William

    1657 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) 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.

  3. Robert

    1578 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) 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.

  4. John

    1413 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) 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.

  5. Charles

    1380 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) 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.

  6. Larry

    1066 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) 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.

  7. Jerry

    1023 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) 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.

  8. David

    978 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) 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.

  9. Thomas

    734 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) 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.

  10. Richard

    696 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) named Richard

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

  11. Gary

    631 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) 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.

  12. Donald

    603 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) named Donald

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

  13. Ronald

    584 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) named Ronald

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

  14. Billy

    569 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) named Billy

    The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".

  15. Jimmy

    523 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) named Jimmy

    The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  16. George

    519 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) named George

    The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.

  17. Kenneth

    491 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) named Kenneth

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

  18. Bobby

    481 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) named Bobby

    The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".

  19. Michael

    457 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) 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.

  20. Johnny

    452 baby boys born in Tennessee (1946) named Johnny

    Johnny is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious" or "gift of God".