California's most popular baby names in 1946

In the year 1946, the state of California saw a surge in the popularity of certain names for newborn babies. Among girls, the name Linda was the most popular, followed closely by Mary and Patricia. These names were likely chosen for their classic and timeless appeal, as well as their simplicity and ease of pronunciation.

For baby boys born in California in 1946, the top names were Robert, John, and Richard. These names also have a traditional and classic feel, and were likely chosen for their strong and masculine connotations. It's interesting to note that many of these names remain popular today, proving that some names truly stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in California in 1946

In California in the year 1946, the most popular baby girl names were Linda, Mary, Patricia, Susan, and Barbara. Linda was the most popular name with 3777 babies being given this name. Mary was the second most popular name with 3147 babies, followed by Patricia with 2877 babies. Susan and Barbara were the fourth and fifth most popular names, respectively, with 2689 and 2573 babies being given these names.

Linda

3777 baby girls born in California (1946) 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

3147 baby girls born in California (1946) 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

2877 baby girls born in California (1946) 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.
Susan

2689 baby girls born in California (1946) 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.
Barbara

2573 baby girls born in California (1946) 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
2421 baby girls born in California (1946) 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
2152 baby girls born in California (1946) 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
2095 baby girls born in California (1946) 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
1779 baby girls born in California (1946) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Kathleen
1652 baby girls born in California (1946) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Karen
1501 baby girls born in California (1946) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Donna
1491 baby girls born in California (1946) 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
1331 baby girls born in California (1946) named Judy
Judith
1271 baby girls born in California (1946) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Diane
1206 baby girls born in California (1946) 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
1184 baby girls born in California (1946) 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).
Cheryl
1063 baby girls born in California (1946) named Cheryl
The name Cheryl is of English origin and its meaning is uncertain. It is believed to have been derived from the French name Cherie, which means "darling" or "beloved". However, some sources suggest that it may have originated from the Welsh name Ceinlys, which means "beautiful". The name Cheryl was most popular in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s.
Carolyn
1037 baby girls born in California (1946) 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.
Margaret
986 baby girls born in California (1946) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janet
959 baby girls born in California (1946) 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 1946

According to the data from California in 1946, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, Richard, James, and Michael. Robert was the most popular name with 5519 babies being given that name, followed closely by John with 5095 babies. Richard, James, and Michael were also popular choices with 4681, 4429, and 4164 babies respectively being given those names. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

Robert

5519 baby boys born in California (1946) 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

5095 baby boys born in California (1946) 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.
Richard

4681 baby boys born in California (1946) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
James

4429 baby boys born in California (1946) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Michael

4164 baby boys born in California (1946) 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.
William
3342 baby boys born in California (1946) 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
3313 baby boys born in California (1946) 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.
Gary
2226 baby boys born in California (1946) 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
2192 baby boys born in California (1946) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Dennis
2008 baby boys born in California (1946) 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.
Thomas
1959 baby boys born in California (1946) 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.
Charles
1850 baby boys born in California (1946) 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.
Larry
1785 baby boys born in California (1946) 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
1556 baby boys born in California (1946) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Kenneth
1423 baby boys born in California (1946) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
1305 baby boys born in California (1946) 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.
George
1233 baby boys born in California (1946) 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.
Steven
1137 baby boys born in California (1946) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Stephen
1100 baby boys born in California (1946) 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.
Frank
1053 baby boys born in California (1946) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".