Alabama's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Alabama witnessed a surge in the popularity of baby names that were classic and timeless. Mary, the name that had been a favorite for centuries, continued to reign supreme as the most popular baby girl name in the state. Other popular names for baby girls included Betty and Barbara, both of which had a touch of modernity to them.

For baby boys, the names James, John, and William took the lead. These names had a strong and traditional appeal, and were favored by parents who wanted to give their sons a name that would stand the test of time. Overall, the baby names that were popular in Alabama in 1940 reflected a desire for names that were both classic and modern, and that would endure for generations to come.

Most popular baby girl names in Alabama in 1940

In 1940, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Alabama with 2078 newborns being named Mary. Betty was the second most popular name with 1158 babies given this name. Barbara came in third with 817 babies named Barbara. Dorothy was the fourth most popular name with 662 babies named Dorothy. Finally, Annie was the fifth most popular name with 654 babies named Annie. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical events of the time, as well as family traditions and personal preferences of parents.

Mary

2078 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) 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.
Betty

1158 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

817 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) 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.
Dorothy

662 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Annie

654 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) named Annie
The name Annie is a diminutive form of the name Ann or Anna. It is of Hebrew origin and means "gracious" or "full of grace".
Shirley
572 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) 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.
Martha
536 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) 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.
Patricia
510 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) 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.
Margaret
419 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Carolyn
408 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) 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.
Doris
392 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Linda
366 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) 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."
Peggy
335 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Sarah
307 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) named Sarah
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
Joyce
304 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) 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.
Elizabeth
294 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Virginia
294 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) named Virginia
The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.
Willie
291 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Helen
281 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) named Helen
Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Ruby
265 baby girls born in Alabama (1940) named Ruby
The name Ruby is derived from the Latin word "ruber," which means "red." It is a gemstone name and is associated with love, passion, and energy. Ruby is also believed to bring good fortune and success to those who wear it.

Most popular baby boy names in Alabama in 1940

Based on historical records, the most popular baby boy names in Alabama in 1940 were James, John, William, Robert, and Charles. James was the most popular name, with 2283 babies given that name. John and William were the next most popular, with 1266 and 1262 babies given those names, respectively. Robert and Charles rounded out the top five, with 1199 and 1078 babies given those names, respectively. These names reflect the traditional and classic naming trends of the time, with parents choosing popular and timeless names for their baby boys.

James

2283 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

1266 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) 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.
William

1262 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) 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

1199 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) 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.
Charles

1078 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) 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.
Willie
860 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Billy
614 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Jerry
558 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) 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.
Bobby
516 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Thomas
501 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) 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.
George
464 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) 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.
Jimmy
455 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Joe
427 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
David
414 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) 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.
Donald
379 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Henry
321 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) named Henry
The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.
Joseph
305 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
304 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Kenneth
281 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Johnny
277 baby boys born in Alabama (1940) named Johnny
Johnny is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious" or "gift of God".