Illinois's most popular baby names in 1943

In 1943, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Mary was the most popular name, followed by Barbara and Patricia. Mary had been a popular name for centuries and continued to be a top choice for parents in the 1940s. Barbara and Patricia were also common names during this time period, likely due to their association with Hollywood starlets.

For baby boys, Robert was the most popular name in Illinois in 1943, followed by James and John. Robert had been a popular name for several decades and continued to be a top choice for parents in the 1940s. James and John were also common names during this time period, likely due to their association with prominent historical figures. Overall, these names reflect the cultural and historical influences of the time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1943

In 1943, the most popular baby girl name in Illinois was Mary, with a total of 3,352 babies being given that name. The next four most popular names were Barbara (2,510), Patricia (2,428), Carol (2,208), and Sharon (2,121). These five names were the most commonly chosen names for baby girls in Illinois during that year.

  1. Mary

    3352 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  2. Barbara

    2510 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  3. Patricia

    2428 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  4. Carol

    2208 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) 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".

  5. Sharon

    2121 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  6. Judith

    2031 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) named Judith

    The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".

  7. Sandra

    1875 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  8. Linda

    1841 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) 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."

  9. Nancy

    1608 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  10. Karen

    1520 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) named Karen

    Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

  11. Donna

    1156 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  12. Judy

    1063 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) named Judy

  13. Susan

    1040 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  14. Diane

    1016 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) 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".

  15. Janet

    971 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) named Janet

    The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".

  16. Joyce

    940 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  17. Carolyn

    923 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  18. Kathleen

    865 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) named Kathleen

    The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.

  19. Margaret

    841 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  20. Marilyn

    826 baby girls born in Illinois (1943) 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".

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1943

In 1943, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Robert, James, John, Richard, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 4544 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 4390 babies. John, Richard, and William rounded out the top five with 4024, 3080, and 3044 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

  1. Robert

    4544 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  2. James

    4390 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  3. John

    4024 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  4. Richard

    3080 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  5. William

    3044 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  6. Thomas

    2191 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  7. Ronald

    2190 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  8. David

    1936 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  9. Charles

    1766 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  10. Michael

    1714 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  11. Donald

    1550 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  12. Larry

    1459 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  13. Kenneth

    1282 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  14. Dennis

    1222 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  15. Joseph

    1191 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) named Joseph

    The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".

  16. Edward

    1082 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) 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".

  17. George

    1064 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  18. Gary

    1040 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  19. Paul

    880 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) 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.

  20. Jerry

    859 baby boys born in Illinois (1943) 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.