Arizona's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Arizona saw a surge in baby names that reflected the popular trends of the time. Mary, Barbara, and Betty were the top baby girl names of the year, reflecting the traditional and timeless nature of these names. These names were often chosen for their religious significance, as Mary is the mother of Jesus in the Bible, and Barbara is associated with Saint Barbara, a Christian martyr.

On the other hand, Robert, John, and James were the top baby boy names, reflecting the classic and strong nature of these names. These names were often chosen for their historical significance, as many famous figures throughout history have borne these names. The popularity of these names in 1940s Arizona speaks to the desire for traditional and timeless names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Arizona in 1940

Based on the records of Arizona in 1940, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with a total of 319 occurrences. Following Mary, the next four most popular names were Barbara with 129 occurrences, Betty and Patricia with 98 occurrences each, and Linda with 87 occurrences. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time. Mary, for example, has been a popular name for centuries and was likely chosen for its traditional and timeless appeal. Barbara, on the other hand, may have been influenced by the popularity of actress Barbara Stanwyck, who was a popular film star during this time period. Overall, these names give us insight into the naming trends of Arizona in 1940 and the cultural influences that shaped them.

Mary

319 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Barbara

129 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Betty

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

98 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Linda

87 baby girls born in Arizona (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."
Margaret
84 baby girls born in Arizona (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Carol
82 baby girls born in Arizona (1940) named Carol
The name Carol is derived from the Old Germanic word "karl", which means "man" or "free man". It is often associated with the Christmas season due to the popular Christmas carol "Carol of the Bells".
Helen
72 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Alice
70 baby girls born in Arizona (1940) named Alice
The name Alice is of German origin and means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has been the name of many notable fictional characters in literature and film.
Gloria
70 baby girls born in Arizona (1940) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Frances
70 baby girls born in Arizona (1940) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Nancy
65 baby girls born in Arizona (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Virginia
63 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Shirley
62 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Judith
61 baby girls born in Arizona (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Sharon
57 baby girls born in Arizona (1940) 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
55 baby girls born in Arizona (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Maria
52 baby girls born in Arizona (1940) named Maria
Maria is a name of Latin origin, derived from the name Mariam or Miriam, which means "bitterness" or "sorrow". It is a common name in many cultures and is often associated with the Virgin Mary in Christianity.
Martha
50 baby girls born in Arizona (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.
Rose
50 baby girls born in Arizona (1940) named Rose
The name Rose is of English origin and means "rose flower". It is a popular name for girls and is often associated with beauty, love, and passion. The name has been used since the Middle Ages and has been a symbol of love and affection throughout history.

Most popular baby boy names in Arizona in 1940

According to data from 1940, the most popular baby boy names in Arizona were Robert, John, James, Richard, and Charles. Robert was the most popular name with 242 babies given that name. John was the second most popular name with 189 babies given that name, followed by James with 172 babies, Richard with 151 babies, and Charles with 137 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures, historical figures, and family traditions.

Robert

242 baby boys born in Arizona (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.
John

189 baby boys born in Arizona (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.
James

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

151 baby boys born in Arizona (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Charles

137 baby boys born in Arizona (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.
William
132 baby boys born in Arizona (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.
Frank
119 baby boys born in Arizona (1940) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
David
115 baby boys born in Arizona (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.
Joe
112 baby boys born in Arizona (1940) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
George
89 baby boys born in Arizona (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.
Jerry
77 baby boys born in Arizona (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.
Thomas
75 baby boys born in Arizona (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.
Ronald
68 baby boys born in Arizona (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Manuel
66 baby boys born in Arizona (1940) named Manuel
The name Manuel is of Spanish and Portuguese origin and means "God is with us".
Donald
66 baby boys born in Arizona (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Raymond
60 baby boys born in Arizona (1940) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Edward
59 baby boys born in Arizona (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".
Larry
57 baby boys born in Arizona (1940) 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.
Paul
56 baby boys born in Arizona (1940) named Paul
The name Paul is of Latin origin and means "small" or "humble". It was originally derived from the Roman family name Paulus, which was a common name in ancient Rome. The name has been popularized by various saints and biblical figures, including the apostle Paul, who was a significant figure in the early Christian church.
Ernest
55 baby boys born in Arizona (1940) named Ernest
The name Ernest means "serious" or "resolute" and is of German origin.