Illinois's most popular baby names in 1941

In the year 1941, the state of Illinois witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Barbara, and Patricia were the top three names for baby girls, while Robert, James, and John were the most favored names for baby boys. These names were chosen by parents across the state for their newborns, reflecting the cultural and societal trends of the time.

Mary, a timeless classic, has been a popular name for baby girls for centuries. Barbara and Patricia, on the other hand, were relatively new names that gained popularity during the 1940s. Robert, James, and John were traditional names that were favored by parents for their baby boys. These names continue to be popular even today, reflecting the enduring appeal of classic names that stand the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1941

According to data from 1941, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Illinois with 2797 babies being given this name. Following closely behind were Barbara with 2326 babies, Patricia with 2250 babies, Judith with 2138 babies, and Carol with 1877 babies. These names were the most commonly chosen for baby girls in Illinois during that year.

Mary

2797 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) 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

2326 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) 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

2250 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) 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.
Judith

2138 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Carol

1877 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) 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".
Sandra
1522 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) 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
1468 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) 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.
Nancy
1335 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Linda
1196 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) 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
1097 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Judy
1015 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) named Judy
Joyce
985 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) 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.
Donna
883 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) 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
871 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Carolyn
847 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) 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.
Joan
788 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) 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.
Marilyn
778 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) 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".
Shirley
671 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) 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.
Janice
665 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Margaret
664 baby girls born in Illinois (1941) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1941

In Illinois in 1941, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, James, John, William, and Richard. Robert was the most commonly chosen name with 3986 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 3645 babies. John, William, and Richard were also popular choices, with 3430, 2714, and 2648 babies given those names, respectively. These names have remained popular over time and continue to be popular choices for baby boys today.

Robert

3986 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) 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

3645 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

3430 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) 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.
William

2714 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) 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.
Richard

2648 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Ronald
1983 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Thomas
1777 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) 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.
Charles
1733 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) 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.
David
1709 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) 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.
Donald
1457 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Larry
1397 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) 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.
Michael
1197 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) 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.
Kenneth
1175 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Joseph
1046 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
George
1005 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) 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
943 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) 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".
Jerry
932 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) 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
846 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) 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
822 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) 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.
Dennis
816 baby boys born in Illinois (1941) 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.