California's most popular baby names in 1944

In the year 1944, California saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The top baby girl names of the year were Linda, Mary, and Patricia, while the top baby boy names were Robert, John, and James.

Linda was by far the most popular name for baby girls, with over 6,000 babies given this name in California alone. Mary and Patricia were close behind, with over 4,000 and 3,000 babies given these names, respectively. For baby boys, Robert was the clear favorite, with over 5,000 babies given this name. John and James were also popular choices, with over 4,000 and 3,000 babies given these names, respectively. These names reflect the trends of the time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1944

According to the records of baby girl names in California in 1944, Linda was the most popular name, with 3003 babies named Linda. Following closely was Mary, with 2975 babies named Mary. Patricia was the third most popular name, with 2338 babies named Patricia. Fourth and fifth on the list were Barbara and Carol, with 2186 and 2089 babies named respectively. These were the top five baby girl names in California in 1944.

Linda

3003 baby girls born in California (1944) 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

2975 baby girls born in California (1944) 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.
Patricia

2338 baby girls born in California (1944) 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

2186 baby girls born in California (1944) 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.
Carol

2089 baby girls born in California (1944) 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".
Sharon
2059 baby girls born in California (1944) 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.
Sandra
1646 baby girls born in California (1944) 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.
Susan
1596 baby girls born in California (1944) 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.
Judith
1383 baby girls born in California (1944) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Nancy
1374 baby girls born in California (1944) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Donna
1281 baby girls born in California (1944) 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.
Judy
1232 baby girls born in California (1944) named Judy
Karen
1177 baby girls born in California (1944) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Carolyn
1033 baby girls born in California (1944) 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.
Kathleen
1008 baby girls born in California (1944) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Margaret
942 baby girls born in California (1944) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Diane
927 baby girls born in California (1944) 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".
Pamela
833 baby girls born in California (1944) named Pamela
The name Pamela is of Greek origin and means "all sweetness" or "honeyed". It was first popularized by Sir Philip Sidney in his pastoral romance "Arcadia" (1590) and later by Samuel Richardson in his novel "Pamela" (1740).
Shirley
789 baby girls born in California (1944) 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.
Gloria
767 baby girls born in California (1944) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1944

In 1944, the most popular baby boy names in California were Robert, John, James, Richard, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 4631 babies given that name, followed closely by John with 4223 babies given that name. James was the third most popular name with 3907 babies, while Richard and William rounded out the top five with 3558 and 2895 babies given those names, respectively.

Robert

4631 baby boys born in California (1944) 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

4223 baby boys born in California (1944) 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

3907 baby boys born in California (1944) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

3558 baby boys born in California (1944) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

2895 baby boys born in California (1944) 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.
Michael
2795 baby boys born in California (1944) 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.
David
2590 baby boys born in California (1944) 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.
Ronald
1955 baby boys born in California (1944) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Gary
1944 baby boys born in California (1944) 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
1717 baby boys born in California (1944) 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
1562 baby boys born in California (1944) 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
1481 baby boys born in California (1944) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Larry
1370 baby boys born in California (1944) 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
1292 baby boys born in California (1944) 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
1126 baby boys born in California (1944) 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
1119 baby boys born in California (1944) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jerry
950 baby boys born in California (1944) 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
944 baby boys born in California (1944) 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
902 baby boys born in California (1944) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Edward
852 baby boys born in California (1944) 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".