Tennessee's most popular baby names in 1948

In the state of Tennessee, the year 1948 saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Linda was the most popular name, followed closely by Mary and Brenda. These names were likely chosen for their simplicity and traditional appeal, as they have been popular for many years.

For baby boys, the top names were James, William, and Robert. These names have also been popular for many years and continue to be so today. They are classic names that have stood the test of time and are still commonly used in Tennessee and throughout the United States.

Overall, the most popular baby names in Tennessee in 1948 were traditional and timeless. Parents seemed to favor names that were simple, easy to pronounce, and had a long history of use. These names continue to be popular today, proving that some things never go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in Tennessee in 1948

In 1948, the most popular baby girl name in Tennessee was Linda, with 2,731 babies given that name. Mary came in second with 1,779 babies, followed by Brenda with 1,367 babies. Patricia was the fourth most popular name with 1,186 babies, and Barbara rounded out the top five with 1,103 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, and some of them have remained popular choices for baby girls even today.

Linda

2731 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) 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."
Mary

1779 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Brenda

1367 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Patricia

1186 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Barbara

1103 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Judy
901 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) named Judy
Carolyn
882 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Betty
863 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Sandra
844 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Shirley
667 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Nancy
547 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Wanda
540 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) named Wanda
The name Wanda is of Slavic origin and its meaning is "she who is to be loved" or "wanderer".
Janice
500 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Martha
491 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Joyce
482 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Margaret
453 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Peggy
423 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Sharon
413 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Dorothy
405 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Donna
395 baby girls born in Tennessee (1948) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Tennessee in 1948

In Tennessee, 1948, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Robert, John, and Larry. James was the most popular name with 2960 babies being given that name, followed by William with 1676 babies and Robert with 1588 babies. John and Larry were also popular names with 1461 and 1440 babies respectively being given those names.

James

2960 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1676 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Robert

1588 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) 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

1461 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Larry

1440 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Charles
1319 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
David
1228 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Jerry
1033 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Thomas
799 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Ronald
737 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Michael
736 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Gary
706 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Richard
600 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald
580 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Kenneth
558 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
George
543 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) 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.
Billy
504 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Jimmy
495 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Bobby
430 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Danny
430 baby boys born in Tennessee (1948) named Danny
The name Danny is a diminutive form of the name Daniel, which means "God is my judge" in Hebrew. It is often used as a standalone name and has been a popular name for boys in the United States since the mid-20th century.