Every new parent faces the difficult decision of choosing the perfect name for a newborn. First names rarely get changed after being assigned and carry with them a wide range of meanings and associations. This creates a lot of pressure on expectant parents to pick the perfect moniker for their little ones.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, many parents end up choosing the same names over and over. Research suggests that we pick specific names implying desired characteristics about our children, selecting names for boys and girls intended to shape them. Male monikers are commonly inspired by political, cultural, and personal influences that suggest good, masculine, and well-rounded people.
The 1960s are commonly associated with tie-dye-clad hippies, psychedelic experimentation, and rock ‘n’ roll icons like the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. But underneath the flower power, free love exterior, the ‘60s were a period of radical social and political change—not only in the United States but around the world. The decade was one characterized by a host of juxtapositions; anger and fear over injustice and uneasy political conditions lived alongside notions of musical awakening and pacifist harmony.
Stacker compiled a list of the most popular baby names for boys in the ‘60s in North Carolina using data from the Social Security Administration. Names are ranked by the number of babies born. The names in this list represent the distinct intersection of Baby Boomer and Gen X and a reflection of some of the most well-known celebrities, musicians, and trends of the time. Keep reading to see if your name was among the most popular in the ‘60s in your home state.
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#50. Julie
Julie is a name of Latin origin meaning “youthful”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,131
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 188 (#503 most common name, -91.2% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #18
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 166,151
2 / 50Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#49. Cindy
Cindy is a name of Greek origin meaning “woman from Mount Kynthos”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,132
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 74 (#1033 most common name, -96.5% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #46
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 91,589
3 / 50Tatiana Katsai // Shutterstock
#48. Betty
Betty is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “oath of God”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,146
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 37 (#1448 most common name, -98.3% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #102
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 38,291
4 / 50Marlon Lopez MMG1 Design // Shutterstock
#47. Paula
Paula is a name of Latin origin meaning “small”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,289
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 47 (#1303 most common name, -97.9% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #54
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 80,506
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#46. Kelly
Kelly is a name of Irish origin meaning “bright-headed”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,414
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 247 (#406 most common name, -89.8% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #30
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 128,078
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#45. Jacqueline
Jacqueline is a name of French origin meaning “may God protect”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,449
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 346 (#289 (tie) most common name, -85.9% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #51
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 84,366
7 / 50DONOT6_STUDIO // Shutterstock
#44. Tracy
Tracy is a name of Irish origin meaning “fighter”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,473
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 346 (#289 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #39
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 103,778
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#43. Debbie
Debbie is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “bee”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,484
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 346 (#289 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #52
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 84,193
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#42. Carol
Carol is a name of German origin meaning “free man”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,487
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 30 (#1564 most common name, -98.8% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #38
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 112,341
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#41. Nancy
Nancy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “grace”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,491
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 105 (#798 (tie) most common name, -95.8% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #26
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 142,707
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#40. Rebecca
Rebecca is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “servant of God”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,503
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 526 (#190 most common name, -79.0% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #41
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 99,468
12 / 50Tetiana Iatsenko // Shutterstock
#39. Stephanie
Stephanie is a name of Greek origin meaning “crown”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,506
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 406 (#247 most common name, -83.8% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #45
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 92,825
13 / 50Studio Romantic // Shutterstock
#38. Cheryl
Cheryl is a name of Greek origin meaning “cherry fruit”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,610
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 406 (#247 most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #28
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 135,650
14 / 50Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#37. Beverly
Beverly is a name of English origin meaning “beaver stream or meadow”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,685
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 13 (#2017 (tie) most common name, -99.5% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #85
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 45,165
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#36. Janet
Janet is a name of Scottish origin meaning “God is gracious”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,722
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 43 (#1354 most common name, -98.4% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #47
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 89,307
16 / 50Black-Photogaphy // Shutterstock
#35. Michelle
Michelle is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “who is like God?”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,839
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 420 (#235 most common name, -85.2% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #9
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 208,285
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#34. Carolyn
Carolyn is a name of German origin meaning “free man”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,912
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 138 (#636 (tie) most common name, -95.3% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #57
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 75,255
18 / 50Darren Brode // Shutterstock
#33. Wendy
Wendy is a name of English origin meaning “friend”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 2,980
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 65 (#1106 most common name, -97.8% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #48
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 88,970
19 / 50Mcimage // Shutterstock
#32. Sheila
Sheila is a name of Gaelic origin meaning “heavenly”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,073
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 26 (#1640 most common name, -99.2% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #59
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 74,071
20 / 50Dasha Muller // Shutterstock
#31. Lori
Lori is a name of English origin meaning “bay laurel”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,116
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 19 (#1806 (tie) most common name, -99.4% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #15
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 176,561
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#30. Kathy
Kathy is a name of Greek origin meaning “pure”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,236
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 29 (#1585 (tie) most common name, -99.1% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #40
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 101,119
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#29. Laura
Laura is a name of Latin origin meaning “bay laurel plant”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,298
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 313 (#314 (tie) most common name, -90.5% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #16
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 174,184
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#28. Debra
Debra is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “bee”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,316
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 313 (#314 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #24
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 153,776
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#27. Rhonda
Rhonda is a name of Welsh origin meaning “good lance”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,333
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 313 (#314 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #44
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 93,607
25 / 50Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
#26. Tina
Tina is a name of English origin meaning “river”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,380
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 10 (#2246 most common name, -99.7% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #31
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 126,385
26 / 50Oksana Kuzmina // Shutterstock
#25. Jennifer
Jennifer is a name of English origin meaning “white shadow, white wave”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,464
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 430 (#229 most common name, -87.6% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #20
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 164,429
27 / 50Aaron Amat // Shutterstock
#24. Amy
Amy is a name of French origin meaning “beloved”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,488
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 599 (#171 most common name, -82.8% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #35
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 116,789
28 / 50Nolte Lourens // Shutterstock
#23. Wanda
Wanda is a name of Polish origin meaning “wanderer”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,577
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 599 (#171 most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #81
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 47,684
29 / 50Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#22. Melissa
Melissa is a name of Greek origin meaning “honey bee”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,653
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 358 (#282 most common name, -90.2% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #33
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 119,212
30 / 50Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#21. Sherry
Sherry is a name of French origin meaning “dear”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 3,691
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 6 (#2472 (tie) most common name, -99.8% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #55
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 77,521
31 / 50Fuller Photography // Shutterstock
#20. Barbara
Barbara is a name of Greek origin meaning “foreign”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,020
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 46 (#1319 most common name, -98.9% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #21
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 159,750
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#19. Robin
Robin is a name of German origin meaning “fame-bright”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,459
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 60 (#1161 most common name, -98.7% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #34
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 118,322
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#18. Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “god is my oath”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,582
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 3,438 (#8 most common name, -25.0% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #17
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 168,897
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#17. Brenda
Brenda is a name of Norse origin meaning “sword”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 4,724
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 112 (#763 most common name, -97.6% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #19
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 164,483
35 / 50Zdenka Darula // Shutterstock
#16. Deborah
Deborah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “bee”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 5,341
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 92 (#893 most common name, -98.3% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #12
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 183,434
36 / 50Marko Poplasen // Shutterstock
#15. Patricia
Patricia is a name of Latin origin meaning “noble”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 5,572
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 98 (#850 (tie) most common name, -98.2% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #6
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 231,137
37 / 50Natalia Kirichenko // Shutterstock
#14. Linda
Linda is a name of Italian origin meaning “beautiful”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 5,634
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 101 (#828 most common name, -98.2% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #7
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 225,412
38 / 50Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#13. Sandra
Sandra is a name of Greek origin meaning “defender of man”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 6,246
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 112 (#763 most common name, -98.2% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #11
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 183,812
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#12. Susan
Susan is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “lily”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 6,317
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 94 (#877 most common name, -98.5% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #3
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 287,661
40 / 50Krystyna Taran // Shutterstock
#11. Pamela
Pamela is a name of Greek origin meaning “all sweetness”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 6,753
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 46 (#1319 most common name, -99.3% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #14
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 181,948
41 / 50Olesia Bilkei // Shutterstock
#10. Sharon
Sharon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “a fertile plain”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 6,804
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 74 (#1033 most common name, -98.9% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #23
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 154,883
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#9. Cynthia
Cynthia is a name of Greek origin meaning “moon goddess”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 6,878
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 186 (#511 (tie) most common name, -97.3% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #10
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 196,606
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#8. Karen
Karen is a name of Danish origin meaning “pure”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 6,934
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 194 (#485 (tie) most common name, -97.2% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #4
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 286,044
44 / 50Kateryna Gurska // Shutterstock
#7. Kimberly
Kimberly is a name of English origin meaning “from the wood of the royal forest”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 8,174
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 719 (#142 most common name, -91.2% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #5
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 259,092
45 / 50Nina Buday // Shutterstock
#6. Teresa
Teresa is a name of Greek origin meaning “huntress”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 8,230
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 122 (#714 (tie) most common name, -98.5% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #25
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 151,770
46 / 50Michael Pettigrew // Shutterstock
#5. Tammy
Tammy is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “palm tree”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 8,345
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 122 (#714 (tie) most common name, data not available compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #13
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 182,218
47 / 50Amalia Zilio // Shutterstock
#4. Donna
Donna is a name of Italian origin meaning “lady of the home”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 8,354
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 46 (#1319 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #8
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 213,457
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#3. Mary
Mary is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “drop of the sea”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 9,134
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 1,162 (#78 most common name, -87.3% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #2
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 355,223
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#2. Angela
Angela is a name of Latin origin meaning “messenger of God”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 9,430
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 325 (#309 most common name, -96.6% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #22
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 159,248
50 / 50phadungsak sawasdee // Shutterstock
#1. Lisa
Lisa is a name of English origin meaning “God’s promise”.
North Carolina
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 13,391
– Number of babies from 2010 to 2019: 77 (#1007 most common name, -99.4% compared to the 60s)
National
– Rank: #1
– Number of babies from 1960 to 1969: 496,980
