Illinois's most popular baby names in 1942

In the year 1942, the state of Illinois witnessed a surge in baby names that were popular among new parents. The top baby girl names in that year were Mary, Barbara, and Patricia, while the top baby boy names were Robert, James, and John. These names were not only trendy in Illinois but also across the United States, reflecting the cultural values and preferences of that time.

Mary, the most popular baby girl name, was a timeless classic that had been in use for centuries. Barbara and Patricia were also popular choices, reflecting the trend of choosing feminine names that exuded elegance and grace. On the other hand, Robert, James, and John were strong and masculine names that were widely used by parents who wanted their sons to have a powerful and authoritative presence. Overall, the baby names of 1942 in Illinois reflected the prevailing cultural and societal norms of that era.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1942

In 1942, the most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Mary, Barbara, Patricia, Carol, and Judith. Mary was the most popular name, with 3205 babies given that name. Barbara and Patricia followed closely behind with 2643 and 2593 babies given those names, respectively. Carol and Judith rounded out the top five with 2291 and 2228 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Mary

3205 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) 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

2643 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) 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

2593 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) 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.
Carol

2291 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) 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".
Judith

2228 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Sharon
2016 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) 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.
Sandra
1918 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) 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.
Linda
1561 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) 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."
Nancy
1559 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Karen
1484 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Donna
1097 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) 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
1049 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) named Judy
Joyce
1041 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) 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.
Janet
1017 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Carolyn
983 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) 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.
Susan
915 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) 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.
Diane
912 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) 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".
Marilyn
807 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) 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".
Joan
796 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) 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
790 baby girls born in Illinois (1942) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1942

In Illinois, 1942, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, James, John, William, and Richard. Robert was the most popular name with 4589 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 4295 babies. John, William, and Richard were also popular choices, with 3948, 3147, and 2966 babies given those names, respectively. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be common choices for parents naming their baby boys.

Robert

4589 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) 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

4295 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

3948 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) 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

3147 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) 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

2966 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Ronald
2300 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Thomas
2068 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) 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.
David
1992 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) 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
1803 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) 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.
Donald
1600 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Michael
1600 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) 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.
Larry
1421 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) 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
1360 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Edward
1176 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) 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".
Dennis
1176 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) 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.
Joseph
1147 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
George
1140 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) 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.
Gary
1028 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) 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.
Jerry
940 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) 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
899 baby boys born in Illinois (1942) 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.