California's most popular baby names in 1943

In 1943, the state of California saw a surge in new parents naming their babies after popular and timeless names. Mary, Linda, and Patricia were the top baby girl names, while Robert, John, and James were the most popular for baby boys. These names have continued to be popular choices for parents throughout the years, as they have a classic and traditional feel that never goes out of style.

While these names may have been popular in 1943, they have stood the test of time and remain popular choices for parents today. Whether you are looking for a name with a strong meaning or a name that is easy to pronounce, these classic names are sure to be a great choice for your new bundle of joy.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1943

In 1943, the most popular baby girl names in California were Mary, Linda, Patricia, Barbara, and Sharon. Mary was the most popular name with 2928 babies given that name, followed closely by Linda with 2816 babies. Patricia, Barbara, and Sharon were also popular choices with 2431, 2270, and 2194 babies given those names respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Mary

2928 baby girls born in California (1943) 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.
Linda

2816 baby girls born in California (1943) 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."
Patricia

2431 baby girls born in California (1943) 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.
Barbara

2270 baby girls born in California (1943) 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.
Sharon

2194 baby girls born in California (1943) 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
1937 baby girls born in California (1943) 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
1553 baby girls born in California (1943) 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.
Judith
1402 baby girls born in California (1943) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Susan
1380 baby girls born in California (1943) 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.
Nancy
1314 baby girls born in California (1943) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Judy
1211 baby girls born in California (1943) named Judy
Karen
1207 baby girls born in California (1943) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Donna
1202 baby girls born in California (1943) 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
1043 baby girls born in California (1943) 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
1000 baby girls born in California (1943) 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".
Margaret
904 baby girls born in California (1943) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Kathleen
895 baby girls born in California (1943) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Shirley
857 baby girls born in California (1943) 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
763 baby girls born in California (1943) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Marilyn
758 baby girls born in California (1943) named Marilyn
The name Marilyn is a combination of the names Mary and Lynn. The name Mary means "bitter" or "rebellious" in Hebrew, while Lynn means "lake" or "waterfall" in English. Therefore, the name Marilyn could be interpreted as "bitter lake" or "rebellious waterfall".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1943

In California in 1943, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, James, Richard, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 4659 babies given that name, followed by John with 3880 babies, James with 3598 babies, Richard with 3408 babies, and William with 2818 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical events of the time.

Robert

4659 baby boys born in California (1943) 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

3880 baby boys born in California (1943) 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

3598 baby boys born in California (1943) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

3408 baby boys born in California (1943) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

2818 baby boys born in California (1943) 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
2504 baby boys born in California (1943) 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
2417 baby boys born in California (1943) 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.
Ronald
1913 baby boys born in California (1943) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Gary
1760 baby boys born in California (1943) 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.
Charles
1584 baby boys born in California (1943) 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
1478 baby boys born in California (1943) 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.
Larry
1420 baby boys born in California (1943) 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.
Donald
1403 baby boys born in California (1943) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Dennis
1228 baby boys born in California (1943) 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.
George
1098 baby boys born in California (1943) 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.
Kenneth
1084 baby boys born in California (1943) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jerry
964 baby boys born in California (1943) 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.
Paul
931 baby boys born in California (1943) 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.
Frank
910 baby boys born in California (1943) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Edward
838 baby boys born in California (1943) 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".