Tennessee's most popular baby names in 1956

In the year 1956, the state of Tennessee saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Among the baby girls born that year, Deborah emerged as the most popular name, followed by Mary and Linda. Deborah, meaning "bee," has its roots in Hebrew and has been a popular name for centuries.

For baby boys, James emerged as the most popular name in Tennessee in 1956, followed by Michael and David. James, a name with English origins, means "supplanter" and has been a popular name for centuries. Michael, meaning "who is like God," has its roots in Hebrew and has been a popular name in many cultures.

Overall, these names reflect the cultural and religious diversity of the state of Tennessee in the mid-twentieth century. These names continue to be popular today, demonstrating the enduring appeal of classic names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Tennessee in 1956

In Tennessee in 1956, the most popular baby girl names were Deborah, Mary, Linda, Patricia, and Debra. Deborah was the most popular name with 1295 babies given that name, followed closely by Mary with 1208 babies. Linda was the third most popular name with 1064 babies, followed by Patricia with 917 babies and Debra with 905 babies. These names were all very popular during this time period and continue to be used today.

Deborah

1295 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) named Deborah
Deborah is a Hebrew name that means "bee". It is derived from the Hebrew word "d'vorah" which also means "word" or "thing". The name Deborah is often associated with strength, wisdom, and leadership, as the biblical Deborah was a judge and prophetess who led the Israelites to victory over their enemies.
Mary

1208 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
Linda

1064 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) 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."
Patricia

917 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
Debra

905 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) named Debra
The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.
Brenda
796 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
Sharon
777 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
Pamela
748 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) named Pamela
The name Pamela is of Greek origin and means "all sweetness" or "honeyed". It was first popularized by Sir Philip Sidney in his pastoral romance "Arcadia" (1590) and later by Samuel Richardson in his novel "Pamela" (1740).
Kathy
731 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) named Kathy
The name Kathy is a diminutive form of the name Katherine, which means "pure" or "clear". It is of Greek origin and has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
Donna
710 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
Karen
703 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Teresa
676 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) named Teresa
The name Teresa is derived from the Greek name Therasia, which means "harvester" or "reaper". It has also been associated with the Spanish word "teresa", meaning "to harvest". The name has been popularized by Saint Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic and writer who lived in the 16th century. The name is commonly given to girls and is of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian origin.
Barbara
613 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
Sandra
598 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
Susan
572 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) named Susan
The name Susan means "lily" or "graceful lily" in Hebrew. It was a popular name in the 1940s and 1950s, but has since declined in popularity.
Cynthia
489 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) named Cynthia
The name Cynthia means "moon goddess" or "from Mount Kynthos" in Greek. It is also associated with the Greek mythological figure Artemis, who was known as the goddess of the hunt and the moon. The name Cynthia has been in use since ancient times and has remained relatively popular throughout history.
Judy
477 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) named Judy
Carolyn
469 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
Janice
452 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Nancy
443 baby girls born in Tennessee (1956) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

Most popular baby boy names in Tennessee in 1956

In Tennessee, 1956, the most popular baby boy names were James, Michael, David, William, and Robert. James was the most popular with 2240 babies given that name, followed by Michael with 1653 babies and David with 1516 babies. William and Robert rounded out the top five with 1476 and 1392 babies respectively. These names were likely chosen for their traditional and classic sound, as well as their popularity at the time.

James

2240 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Michael

1653 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
David

1516 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
William

1476 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) 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

1392 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) 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
1173 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
Charles
1063 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
Larry
813 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
Gary
765 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) 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
683 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Kenneth
664 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Terry
627 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) named Terry
The name Terry is a unisex name of English origin, derived from the name Terence. The meaning of the name Terry is "smooth, tender".
Thomas
627 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
Jerry
614 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
Mark
593 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) 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.
Ronald
587 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Steven
585 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Donald
582 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ricky
533 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) named Ricky
The name Ricky is a diminutive form of the name Richard, which means "brave ruler" or "strong ruler".
Danny
470 baby boys born in Tennessee (1956) 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.