Georgia's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Georgia saw a surge of popular baby names for both boys and girls. According to the official records, the top baby girl names were Mary, Betty, and Barbara, while the top baby boy names were James, William, and Robert.

Mary, a timeless classic, held the top spot for baby girls for the third year in a row. Betty, a diminutive of Elizabeth, ranked second, while Barbara, a name that had been steadily gaining popularity since the 1920s, came in at third place. For baby boys, James, a name with biblical roots, was the most popular choice, followed closely by William, a name that had been in use for centuries. Robert, a name that had been declining in popularity since the 1920s, made a comeback and landed in third place. These names reflect the cultural and social trends of the time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Georgia in 1940

In 1940, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls in Georgia, with 2174 babies being given this name. Betty was the second most popular name, with 1281 babies being named this. Barbara was the third most popular name, with 954 babies being named this. Martha was the fourth most popular name, with 648 babies being named this. Finally, Shirley was the fifth most popular name, with 635 babies being named this. These were the top 5 baby girl names in Georgia in 1940.

Mary

2174 baby girls born in Georgia (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.
Betty

1281 baby girls born in Georgia (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Barbara

954 baby girls born in Georgia (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.
Martha

648 baby girls born in Georgia (1940) named Martha
The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.
Shirley

635 baby girls born in Georgia (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.
Annie
615 baby girls born in Georgia (1940) named Annie
The name Annie is a diminutive form of the name Ann or Anna. It is of Hebrew origin and means "gracious" or "full of grace".
Patricia
591 baby girls born in Georgia (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.
Dorothy
576 baby girls born in Georgia (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Carolyn
463 baby girls born in Georgia (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.
Linda
436 baby girls born in Georgia (1940) 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."
Frances
364 baby girls born in Georgia (1940) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Margaret
350 baby girls born in Georgia (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Joyce
347 baby girls born in Georgia (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.
Elizabeth
346 baby girls born in Georgia (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.
Sandra
328 baby girls born in Georgia (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.
Helen
325 baby girls born in Georgia (1940) named Helen
Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Sarah
310 baby girls born in Georgia (1940) named Sarah
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
Nancy
300 baby girls born in Georgia (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Virginia
289 baby girls born in Georgia (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.
Doris
285 baby girls born in Georgia (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 Georgia in 1940

Based on the data from Georgia in 1940, the most popular baby boy names were James, William, Robert, John, and Charles. James was the most popular name with 2412 babies given that name, followed by William with 1415, Robert with 1346, John with 1279, and Charles with 1062. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be used today.

James

2412 baby boys born in Georgia (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1415 baby boys born in Georgia (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

1346 baby boys born in Georgia (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

1279 baby boys born in Georgia (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.
Charles

1062 baby boys born in Georgia (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.
Willie
1030 baby boys born in Georgia (1940) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Thomas
586 baby boys born in Georgia (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.
George
576 baby boys born in Georgia (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.
Bobby
534 baby boys born in Georgia (1940) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Jerry
488 baby boys born in Georgia (1940) 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.
David
424 baby boys born in Georgia (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.
Jimmy
414 baby boys born in Georgia (1940) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Donald
407 baby boys born in Georgia (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Richard
398 baby boys born in Georgia (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Henry
395 baby boys born in Georgia (1940) named Henry
The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.
Billy
373 baby boys born in Georgia (1940) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Joseph
361 baby boys born in Georgia (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Joe
344 baby boys born in Georgia (1940) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Johnny
325 baby boys born in Georgia (1940) named Johnny
Johnny is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious" or "gift of God".
Larry
322 baby boys born in Georgia (1940) 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.