Names of US

California's most popular baby names in 1945

In the state of California, the year 1945 marked the end of World War II and the beginning of a new era. It was a time of hope and optimism, and new parents were eager to choose names for their newborns that reflected this spirit. The most popular baby girl names in California in 1945 were Linda, Mary, and Patricia, while the top baby boy names were Robert, John, and James.

Linda, which means "beautiful" in Spanish, was the most popular name for baby girls in California in 1945. Mary, a timeless classic, came in second place, followed closely by Patricia, which means "noble." On the boys' side, Robert, which means "bright fame," was the clear favorite, followed by John, which means "God is gracious," and James, which means "supplanter." These names continue to be popular choices for parents today, reflecting the enduring appeal of traditional names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1945

According to the records of the most popular baby girl names in California in 1945, Linda, Mary, Patricia, Barbara, and Carol were the top five names. Linda was the most popular name with 3191 babies given that name, followed closely by Mary with 3019 babies, Patricia with 2314 babies, Barbara with 2222 babies, and Carol with 2138 babies. These names were very common during this time period and were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends.

  1. Linda

    3191 baby girls born in California (1945) 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."

  2. Mary

    3019 baby girls born in California (1945) 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.

  3. Patricia

    2314 baby girls born in California (1945) 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.

  4. Barbara

    2222 baby girls born in California (1945) 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.

  5. Carol

    2138 baby girls born in California (1945) 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".

  6. Susan

    1991 baby girls born in California (1945) 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.

  7. Sharon

    1905 baby girls born in California (1945) 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.

  8. Sandra

    1653 baby girls born in California (1945) 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.

  9. Nancy

    1392 baby girls born in California (1945) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  10. Donna

    1307 baby girls born in California (1945) 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.

  11. Karen

    1288 baby girls born in California (1945) named Karen

    Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

  12. Judith

    1274 baby girls born in California (1945) named Judith

    The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".

  13. Judy

    1201 baby girls born in California (1945) named Judy

  14. Kathleen

    1180 baby girls born in California (1945) named Kathleen

    The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.

  15. Diane

    1074 baby girls born in California (1945) 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".

  16. Carolyn

    971 baby girls born in California (1945) 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.

  17. Margaret

    936 baby girls born in California (1945) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  18. Gloria

    839 baby girls born in California (1945) named Gloria

    The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.

  19. Pamela

    833 baby girls born in California (1945) 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).

  20. Janet

    811 baby girls born in California (1945) named Janet

    The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".

Most popular baby boy names in California in 1945

In California in 1945, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, James, Richard, and Michael. Robert was the most popular name with 4974 babies given that name, followed by John with 4352 babies, James with 3964 babies, Richard with 3725 babies, and Michael with 3203 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical events of the time.

  1. Robert

    4974 baby boys born in California (1945) 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.

  2. John

    4352 baby boys born in California (1945) 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.

  3. James

    3964 baby boys born in California (1945) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  4. Richard

    3725 baby boys born in California (1945) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  5. Michael

    3203 baby boys born in California (1945) 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.

  6. William

    2878 baby boys born in California (1945) 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.

  7. David

    2823 baby boys born in California (1945) 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.

  8. Gary

    1893 baby boys born in California (1945) 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.

  9. Ronald

    1677 baby boys born in California (1945) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  10. Charles

    1564 baby boys born in California (1945) 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.

  11. Thomas

    1560 baby boys born in California (1945) 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.

  12. Dennis

    1439 baby boys born in California (1945) 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.

  13. Larry

    1389 baby boys born in California (1945) 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.

  14. Donald

    1346 baby boys born in California (1945) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  15. Kenneth

    1138 baby boys born in California (1945) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  16. George

    1104 baby boys born in California (1945) 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.

  17. Paul

    1064 baby boys born in California (1945) 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.

  18. Stephen

    922 baby boys born in California (1945) named Stephen

    The name Stephen means "crown" or "garland" in Greek. It is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, which was a common name among early Christians due to its association with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

  19. Edward

    895 baby boys born in California (1945) 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".

  20. Jerry

    872 baby boys born in California (1945) 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.