Delaware's most popular baby names in 1946

In the year 1946, the state of Delaware saw a surge in baby names that were both classic and timeless. The most popular baby girl names were Barbara, Mary, and Patricia, while the top baby boy names were John, Robert, and William.

Barbara, meaning "stranger" or "foreigner," was a popular choice for baby girls, followed by Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries and means "bitter." Patricia, meaning "noble" or "patrician," was also a favorite among new parents. For baby boys, John, meaning "God is gracious," was the top pick, followed by Robert, meaning "bright fame," and William, meaning "resolute protector." These names continue to be popular today and serve as a reminder of the timeless beauty of classic baby names.

Most popular baby girl names in Delaware in 1946

In Delaware, 1946, the most popular baby girl names were Barbara, Mary, Patricia, Sandra, and Carol. Barbara was the most popular name with 140 babies given that name, followed by Mary with 125 babies, Patricia with 105 babies, Sandra with 85 babies, and Carol with 80 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Barbara

140 baby girls born in Delaware (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.
Mary

125 baby girls born in Delaware (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

105 baby girls born in Delaware (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.
Sandra

85 baby girls born in Delaware (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.
Carol

80 baby girls born in Delaware (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".
Nancy
75 baby girls born in Delaware (1946) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Linda
64 baby girls born in Delaware (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."
Margaret
58 baby girls born in Delaware (1946) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Susan
54 baby girls born in Delaware (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.
Sharon
52 baby girls born in Delaware (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.
Joyce
48 baby girls born in Delaware (1946) 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.
Judith
47 baby girls born in Delaware (1946) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Kathleen
47 baby girls born in Delaware (1946) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Carolyn
42 baby girls born in Delaware (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.
Shirley
40 baby girls born in Delaware (1946) 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
39 baby girls born in Delaware (1946) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Joan
39 baby girls born in Delaware (1946) 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.
Elizabeth
36 baby girls born in Delaware (1946) 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.
Diane
35 baby girls born in Delaware (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".
Ruth
34 baby girls born in Delaware (1946) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Delaware in 1946

In Delaware in 1946, the most popular baby boy names were John, Robert, William, James, and Richard. John was the most popular name with 229 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 215 babies. William, James, and Richard were also popular choices with 206, 183, and 155 babies given those names, respectively. These classic names continue to be popular choices for parents today.

John

229 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
Robert

215 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
William

206 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
James

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

155 baby boys born in Delaware (1946) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David
119 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
Charles
110 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
Joseph
97 baby boys born in Delaware (1946) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
75 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
Donald
70 baby boys born in Delaware (1946) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
66 baby boys born in Delaware (1946) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
George
62 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
Michael
61 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
Edward
56 baby boys born in Delaware (1946) 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
43 baby boys born in Delaware (1946) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
42 baby boys born in Delaware (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.
Frank
33 baby boys born in Delaware (1946) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Francis
33 baby boys born in Delaware (1946) 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.
Wayne
31 baby boys born in Delaware (1946) named Wayne
The name Wayne means "wagon maker" or "wagon driver". It has Old English origins and was originally a surname before becoming a first name.
Stephen
29 baby boys born in Delaware (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.