Names of US

Illinois's most popular baby names in 1944

In the year 1944, 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, a classic name with biblical roots, has been a popular choice for parents for centuries. Barbara, meaning "stranger" or "foreigner," was a popular name in the 1940s, perhaps influenced by the glamorous actress Barbara Stanwyck. Patricia, meaning "noble," was also a popular choice for baby girls in Illinois in 1944.

For baby boys, Robert was the most popular name in Illinois in 1944, followed by James and John. Robert, meaning "bright fame," has been a popular name for boys for centuries. James, a classic name with biblical roots, has also been a popular choice for parents for centuries. John, meaning "God is gracious," is another classic name that has stood the test of time. These names were likely influenced by popular figures of the time, such as Robert Mitchum, James Cagney, and John Wayne.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1944

Based on the data from 1944, the most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Mary, Barbara, Patricia, Carol, and Sharon. Mary was the most popular name with 3110 babies given that name, followed by Barbara with 2176, Patricia with 2103, Carol with 2005, and Sharon with 1734. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends at the time, as well as family and cultural traditions.

  1. Mary

    3110 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) 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

    2176 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) 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

    2103 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) 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

    2005 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) 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

    1734 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) 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. Linda

    1692 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) 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."

  7. Judith

    1635 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) named Judith

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

  8. Sandra

    1535 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) 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.

  9. Nancy

    1365 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) named Nancy

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

  10. Karen

    1353 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) named Karen

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

  11. Susan

    1159 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) 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.

  12. Donna

    1135 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) 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.

  13. Kathleen

    930 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) named Kathleen

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

  14. Judy

    908 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) named Judy

  15. Janet

    855 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) named Janet

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

  16. Diane

    843 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) 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".

  17. Joyce

    813 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) 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.

  18. Carolyn

    781 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) 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.

  19. Margaret

    731 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) named Margaret

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

  20. Marilyn

    701 baby girls born in Illinois (1944) 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 1944

In Illinois, 1944, the most popular baby boy names were Robert with 4149 babies being named so, followed closely by James with 4073 babies, John with 3748 babies, Richard with 2864 babies, and William with 2742 babies. These were the top 5 names that new parents in Illinois chose for their baby boys in 1944.

  1. Robert

    4149 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) 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

    4073 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) named James

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

  3. John

    3748 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) 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

    2864 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) named Richard

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

  5. William

    2742 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) 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

    2016 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) 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. David

    1939 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) 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.

  8. Michael

    1867 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) 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.

  9. Ronald

    1733 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) named Ronald

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

  10. Charles

    1588 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) 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.

  11. Donald

    1389 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) named Donald

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

  12. Larry

    1196 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) 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

    1169 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) named Kenneth

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

  14. Dennis

    1145 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) 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. Gary

    1067 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) 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.

  16. Joseph

    1024 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) named Joseph

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

  17. George

    1012 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) 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. Edward

    955 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) 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".

  19. Paul

    841 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) 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. Gerald

    728 baby boys born in Illinois (1944) 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.