Illinois's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of some classic and timeless baby names. Mary, Judith, and Patricia were the top three picks for baby girls, while Robert, James, and John were the most popular names for baby boys.

Mary, a name with biblical origins, has been a beloved choice for parents for centuries. Judith, a name that means "woman of Judea," has also been a popular pick for baby girls. On the other hand, Robert, James, and John are names that have been passed down through generations and continue to remain popular even today. These names reflect a sense of tradition and timelessness that parents in Illinois continue to appreciate.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1940

Based on the records of baby names in Illinois in 1940, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Judith, Patricia, Barbara, and Carol. Mary was the most popular name with 2770 babies given that name, followed by Judith with 2198 babies, Patricia with 2109 babies, Barbara with 2034 babies, and Carol with 1677 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture, family traditions, and religious beliefs during that time period.

Mary

2770 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Judith

2198 baby girls born in Illinois (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Patricia

2109 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Barbara

2034 baby girls born in Illinois (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

1677 baby girls born in Illinois (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".
Nancy
1278 baby girls born in Illinois (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sandra
1216 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Sharon
1070 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Linda
1009 baby girls born in Illinois (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."
Judy
997 baby girls born in Illinois (1940) named Judy
Joyce
879 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Joan
787 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Shirley
771 baby girls born in Illinois (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
757 baby girls born in Illinois (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.
Janet
738 baby girls born in Illinois (1940) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Betty
717 baby girls born in Illinois (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Marilyn
714 baby girls born in Illinois (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".
Margaret
704 baby girls born in Illinois (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Karen
702 baby girls born in Illinois (1940) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Carolyn
685 baby girls born in Illinois (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 Illinois in 1940

According to data from 1940, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Robert, James, John, Richard, and William. Robert was the most popular name, with 3841 babies given that name. James and John were close behind, with 3265 and 3251 babies respectively. Richard and William rounded out the top five, with 2513 and 2497 babies given those names. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional family names.

Robert

3841 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
James

3265 baby boys born in Illinois (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

3251 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Richard

2513 baby boys born in Illinois (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

2497 baby boys born in Illinois (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
1748 baby boys born in Illinois (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
1576 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Thomas
1567 baby boys born in Illinois (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
1471 baby boys born in Illinois (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
David
1470 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Larry
1243 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Kenneth
1037 baby boys born in Illinois (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Michael
961 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Joseph
958 baby boys born in Illinois (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
George
914 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Edward
877 baby boys born in Illinois (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".
Paul
803 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Jerry
791 baby boys born in Illinois (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.
Gerald
725 baby boys born in Illinois (1940) named Gerald
The name Gerald means "ruler with a spear" or "rule of the spear". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobles.
Gary
692 baby boys born in Illinois (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.