Idaho's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Idaho saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Sharon, Mary, and Barbara. These names were chosen by parents across the state for their timeless charm and simplicity.

For baby boys, the top names were Robert, Gary, and Larry. These names were a reflection of the strong and sturdy qualities that parents wanted to instill in their sons. Overall, the most popular baby names of 1940 in Idaho were a combination of traditional classics and modern favorites, reflecting the diverse tastes and preferences of parents in the state.

Most popular baby girl names in Idaho in 1940

According to data from 1940, the most popular baby girl names in Idaho were Sharon, Mary, Barbara, Carol, and Patricia. Sharon was the most popular name, with 211 babies being given that name. Mary came in second place with 144 babies named Mary, followed by Barbara with 134 babies, Carol with 128 babies, and Patricia with 114 babies. These names were all quite popular during this time period and continue to be used today, although some have fallen out of favor.

Sharon

211 baby girls born in Idaho (1940) 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.
Mary

144 baby girls born in Idaho (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

134 baby girls born in Idaho (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.
Carol

128 baby girls born in Idaho (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".
Patricia

114 baby girls born in Idaho (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.
Linda
112 baby girls born in Idaho (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."
Karen
93 baby girls born in Idaho (1940) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Betty
85 baby girls born in Idaho (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley
82 baby girls born in Idaho (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.
Donna
80 baby girls born in Idaho (1940) 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
79 baby girls born in Idaho (1940) named Judy
Sandra
78 baby girls born in Idaho (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.
Margaret
66 baby girls born in Idaho (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Nancy
64 baby girls born in Idaho (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Judith
63 baby girls born in Idaho (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Marilyn
62 baby girls born in Idaho (1940) named Marilyn
The name Marilyn is a combination of the names Mary and Lynn. The name Mary means "bitter" or "rebellious" in Hebrew, while Lynn means "lake" or "waterfall" in English. Therefore, the name Marilyn could be interpreted as "bitter lake" or "rebellious waterfall".
Beverly
55 baby girls born in Idaho (1940) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Bonnie
54 baby girls born in Idaho (1940) named Bonnie
The name Bonnie means "pretty" or "good" and is of Scottish origin. It is often used as a nickname for someone who is attractive or pleasant.
Darlene
53 baby girls born in Idaho (1940) named Darlene
The name Darlene means "darling" or "beloved" and is of English origin. It was first used as a given name in the early 20th century in the United States.
Carolyn
52 baby girls born in Idaho (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Idaho in 1940

According to the records from 1940, the most popular baby boy names in Idaho were Robert, Gary, Larry, Richard, and John. Robert was the most common name with 242 occurrences, followed by Gary with 194 occurrences, and Larry and Richard with 179 occurrences each. John rounded out the top five with 171 occurrences. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and trends of the time.

Robert

242 baby boys born in Idaho (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.
Gary

194 baby boys born in Idaho (1940) 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.
Larry

179 baby boys born in Idaho (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.
Richard

179 baby boys born in Idaho (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

171 baby boys born in Idaho (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
154 baby boys born in Idaho (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David
139 baby boys born in Idaho (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.
William
128 baby boys born in Idaho (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.
Ronald
111 baby boys born in Idaho (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
96 baby boys born in Idaho (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Jerry
94 baby boys born in Idaho (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.
Charles
94 baby boys born in Idaho (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.
Kenneth
74 baby boys born in Idaho (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Michael
73 baby boys born in Idaho (1940) 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.
Dennis
66 baby boys born in Idaho (1940) 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.
George
58 baby boys born in Idaho (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
51 baby boys born in Idaho (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.
Paul
46 baby boys born in Idaho (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.
Don
45 baby boys born in Idaho (1940) named Don
The name Don is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "dunn," which means "brown" or "dark-colored." It is also believed to be a shortened version of the name Donald, which means "ruler of the world" in Scottish Gaelic. The name Don has been used as a given name for boys since the 19th century.
Jack
44 baby boys born in Idaho (1940) named Jack
The name Jack is of English origin and is a diminutive form of the name John, which means "God is gracious".