Delaware's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Delaware saw a surge of newborns with some of the most popular names of the time. For baby girls, Mary took the lead, followed by Barbara and Patricia. These classic and timeless names were a popular choice among parents and continue to be popular even today.

For baby boys, William was the most popular name, followed by Robert and John. These strong and traditional names have stood the test of time and remain a popular choice for parents even today. The state of Delaware in 1940 saw a trend of classic and timeless names for both baby girls and boys, reflecting the values and traditions of the time.

Most popular baby girl names in Delaware in 1940

According to records from 1940, the most popular baby girl names in Delaware were Mary, Barbara, Patricia, Margaret, and Joyce. Mary was the most popular name, given to 115 baby girls, followed by Barbara with 81, Patricia with 80, Margaret with 50, and Joyce with 49. These names were likely chosen for their popularity and traditional appeal during that time period.

Mary

115 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) 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

81 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) 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

80 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) 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.
Margaret

50 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Joyce

49 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) named Joyce
The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.
Nancy
46 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Joan
41 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) 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.
Dorothy
38 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Elizabeth
34 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Betty
33 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Carolyn
32 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) 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.
Shirley
30 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) 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.
Carol
29 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) 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".
Virginia
28 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) named Virginia
The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.
Judith
26 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Janet
26 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Jean
26 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Sandra
25 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) 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.
Ruth
24 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) named Ruth
The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.
Doris
24 baby girls born in Delaware (1940) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.

Most popular baby boy names in Delaware in 1940

In Delaware in the year 1940, the most popular baby boy names were William, Robert, John, James, and Charles. William was the most popular name with 142 babies being given that name, followed closely by Robert with 137 babies. John was the third most popular name with 128 babies, while James came in fourth with 124 babies. Charles rounded out the top five with 85 babies being given that name.

William

142 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) 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.
Robert

137 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) 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

128 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) 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

124 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Charles

85 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) 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.
Richard
84 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Joseph
67 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
George
59 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) 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.
Thomas
55 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) 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
47 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
47 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
David
41 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) 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.
Raymond
34 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Edward
31 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) 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".
Kenneth
29 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Harry
28 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) named Harry
The name Harry is of English origin and is a variation of the name Henry. Its meaning is "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler".
Paul
27 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) 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
27 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Walter
25 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
Francis
25 baby boys born in Delaware (1940) named Francis
The name Francis is derived from the Latin name Franciscus, which means "Frenchman" or "free man". It has been a popular name throughout history, particularly among Christians due to its association with Saint Francis of Assisi. The name is often associated with humility, kindness, and a love for nature and animals.