Tennessee's most popular baby names in 1960

In the year 1960, the state of Tennessee saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Donna, and Lisa were the top three names for baby girls in the state. Mary, a classic name with biblical roots, held the top spot for the third consecutive year. Donna, a name of Italian origin meaning "lady," and Lisa, a shortened form of Elizabeth meaning "pledged to God," were also popular choices for baby girls.

For baby boys, James, David, and Michael were the most popular names in Tennessee in 1960. James, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter," was the top choice for baby boys for the second year in a row. David, also of Hebrew origin, meaning "beloved," and Michael, of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God," were close behind in popularity.

Overall, the top baby names in Tennessee in 1960 reflected a mix of classic and modern naming trends, with biblical names remaining popular choices for both boys and girls.

Most popular baby girl names in Tennessee in 1960

In Tennessee, 1960, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 907 babies given that name. Donna and Lisa were close behind with 858 and 855 babies respectively. Teresa was also a popular choice with 817 babies given that name. Pamela rounded out the top five with 671 babies named Pamela.

  1. Mary

    907 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) 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. Donna

    858 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  3. Lisa

    855 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) named Lisa

    The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".

  4. Teresa

    817 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  5. Pamela

    671 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) 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).

  6. Linda

    669 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) 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."

  7. Karen

    666 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) named Karen

    Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

  8. Brenda

    648 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  9. Deborah

    623 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  10. Patricia

    613 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  11. Cynthia

    589 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  12. Sandra

    582 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  13. Debra

    550 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) named Debra

    The name Debra is of Hebrew origin and means "bee." It is a variant spelling of Deborah.

  14. Kathy

    549 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  15. Sharon

    518 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  16. Susan

    497 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  17. Tammy

    482 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) named Tammy

    The name Tammy is a diminutive form of the name Tamara, which has Hebrew origins and means "palm tree" or "date tree". The exact meaning of Tammy is unclear, but it is generally considered to be a modern English name that is derived from Tamara.

  18. Debbie

    478 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) named Debbie

    The name Debbie is a diminutive form of the name Deborah. It is of Hebrew origin and means "bee".

  19. Barbara

    429 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  20. Kimberly

    395 baby girls born in Tennessee (1960) named Kimberly

    The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.

Most popular baby boy names in Tennessee in 1960

According to data from 1960, the most popular baby boy names in Tennessee were James, David, Michael, William, and Robert. James was the most popular name with 1998 babies being given that name. David came in second with 1522 babies, followed by Michael with 1405 babies. William was the fourth most popular name with 1208 babies, and Robert rounded out the top five with 1107 babies given that name.

  1. James

    1998 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) named James

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

  2. David

    1522 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  3. Michael

    1405 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  4. William

    1208 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  5. Robert

    1107 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  6. John

    1106 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  7. Charles

    847 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  8. Mark

    822 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  9. Timothy

    717 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) named Timothy

    The name Timothy is of Greek origin and means "honoring God" or "one who honors God". It is derived from the Greek name Timotheos, which is a combination of the words "timao" meaning to honor and "theos" meaning God.

  10. Ricky

    672 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) named Ricky

    The name Ricky is a diminutive form of the name Richard, which means "brave ruler" or "strong ruler".

  11. Kenneth

    631 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) named Kenneth

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

  12. Terry

    628 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) 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".

  13. Jeffrey

    568 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) named Jeffrey

    The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.

  14. Richard

    555 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) named Richard

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

  15. Thomas

    517 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  16. Gary

    501 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  17. Jerry

    477 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) 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.

  18. Donald

    463 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) named Donald

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

  19. Steven

    439 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) named Steven

    The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.

  20. Anthony

    436 baby boys born in Tennessee (1960) named Anthony

    The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".