California's most popular baby names in 1942

In the year 1942, California saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Among baby girls, Linda emerged as the most popular name, followed closely by Mary and Barbara. These names were widely used by parents across the state, and were often chosen for their timeless appeal and classic sound.

For baby boys, Robert took the top spot as the most popular name, followed by John and James. These names were also quite popular among parents in California, and were often chosen for their strong, traditional feel. Whether you're looking for a timeless classic or a more modern name, the top baby names of 1942 in California offer plenty of inspiration for new parents.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1942

Based on the data from 1942, the most popular baby girl names in California are Linda, Mary, Barbara, Patricia, and Sharon. Linda is the most popular name with 2461 babies given that name, followed closely by Mary with 2440 babies. Barbara, Patricia, and Sharon complete the top 5 list with 2212, 2155, and 1828 babies respectively.

Linda

2461 baby girls born in California (1942) 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."
Mary

2440 baby girls born in California (1942) 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

2212 baby girls born in California (1942) 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.
Patricia

2155 baby girls born in California (1942) 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.
Sharon

1828 baby girls born in California (1942) 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.
Carol
1672 baby girls born in California (1942) 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".
Sandra
1330 baby girls born in California (1942) 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.
Nancy
1259 baby girls born in California (1942) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Judith
1224 baby girls born in California (1942) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Judy
1119 baby girls born in California (1942) named Judy
Karen
1063 baby girls born in California (1942) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Susan
1058 baby girls born in California (1942) 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.
Donna
1007 baby girls born in California (1942) 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.
Carolyn
996 baby girls born in California (1942) 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.
Diane
931 baby girls born in California (1942) named Diane
Diane is a feminine given name of French origin. The name is derived from the Roman goddess Diana, who was the goddess of hunting, the moon, and childbirth. The name Diane means "divine" or "heavenly".
Joan
764 baby girls born in California (1942) named Joan
The name Joan is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a feminine name that was popularized in the Middle Ages and has been in use ever since. The name is often associated with strong and independent women, such as Joan of Arc.
Margaret
750 baby girls born in California (1942) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Kathleen
745 baby girls born in California (1942) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Shirley
737 baby girls born in California (1942) 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.
Betty
669 baby girls born in California (1942) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1942

In California in 1942, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, James, Richard, and William. Robert was the most popular name, with 4019 babies given that name. John came in second place with 3420 babies, followed closely by James with 3272 babies. Richard was the fourth most popular name with 2950 babies, and William rounded out the top five with 2539 babies given that name.

Robert

4019 baby boys born in California (1942) 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

3420 baby boys born in California (1942) 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

3272 baby boys born in California (1942) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

2950 baby boys born in California (1942) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

2539 baby boys born in California (1942) 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.
David
2304 baby boys born in California (1942) 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.
Michael
1959 baby boys born in California (1942) 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.
Gary
1793 baby boys born in California (1942) 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.
Ronald
1740 baby boys born in California (1942) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
1427 baby boys born in California (1942) 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.
Thomas
1282 baby boys born in California (1942) 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.
Donald
1260 baby boys born in California (1942) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Larry
1257 baby boys born in California (1942) 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.
Dennis
1241 baby boys born in California (1942) named Dennis
The name Dennis is of Greek origin and means "follower of Dionysius", the Greek god of wine and fertility. It was a popular name in ancient Greece and was later adopted by the Romans. The name has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history.
Kenneth
1029 baby boys born in California (1942) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
George
990 baby boys born in California (1942) 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
875 baby boys born in California (1942) 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.
Frank
799 baby boys born in California (1942) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Paul
776 baby boys born in California (1942) 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.
Edward
716 baby boys born in California (1942) 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".