Illinois's most popular baby names in 1945

In the year 1945, the state of Illinois witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Patricia, and Barbara were the top choices for baby girls, while Robert, James, and John were the most popular names for baby boys. These names were inspired by traditional and biblical sources, reflecting the cultural and social norms of the time.

The name Mary, in particular, held a special significance for many families, as it was associated with the Virgin Mary and symbolized purity and grace. Meanwhile, names like Robert and James were popular choices for boys, as they were seen as strong and masculine names that conveyed a sense of power and authority. Overall, the baby names of 1945 in Illinois reflect the values and beliefs of a generation that had just emerged from the challenges of World War II and were looking towards a brighter future.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1945

Based on data from Illinois in 1945, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Patricia, Barbara, Carol, and Linda. Mary was the most popular name with 2930 babies given that name, followed by Patricia with 2109 babies, Barbara with 2062 babies, Carol with 1964 babies, and Linda with 1848 babies.

Mary

2930 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) 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.
Patricia

2109 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) 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

2062 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) 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

1964 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) 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".
Linda

1848 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) 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."
Sharon
1574 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) 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.
Judith
1479 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Sandra
1450 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) 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.
Nancy
1342 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Karen
1267 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Susan
1262 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) 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.
Donna
1058 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) 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.
Kathleen
990 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Diane
929 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) 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".
Janet
852 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Judy
800 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) named Judy
Margaret
756 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Joyce
730 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) 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.
Marilyn
676 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) 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".
Carolyn
647 baby girls born in Illinois (1945) 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 1945

In Illinois in 1945, the most popular baby boy names were Robert with 4120 babies given that name, followed by James with 3912 babies, John with 3857 babies, Richard with 2718 babies, and William with 2624 babies. These names were all traditional and quite common in the United States during that time period.

Robert

4120 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) 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

3912 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

3857 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) 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

2718 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

2624 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) 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.
Thomas
2042 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) 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.
Michael
1938 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) 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.
David
1817 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) 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
1488 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) 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.
Ronald
1485 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
1253 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Larry
1184 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) 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.
Gary
1165 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) 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.
Kenneth
1128 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Dennis
1078 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) 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
1035 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
George
922 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) 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
907 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) 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
904 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) 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.
Roger
649 baby boys born in Illinois (1945) named Roger
The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".