Illinois's most popular baby names in 1946

In the year 1946, the state of Illinois saw a surge of baby names that would go on to become classics. Mary, Patricia, and Linda were among the top baby girl names, while Robert, James, and John were the most popular baby boy names. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries, held the top spot for baby girls in Illinois in 1946. Patricia and Linda, both names that were gaining popularity at the time, followed closely behind. On the boy's side, Robert, James, and John were the top three names, all of which have remained popular choices for parents over the years. These names are a testament to the enduring appeal of traditional and timeless baby names.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1946

In 1946, the top 5 most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Mary, Patricia, Linda, Barbara, and Carol. Mary was the most popular name with 3494 babies given that name. Patricia came in second with 2695 babies, followed by Linda with 2451 babies, Barbara with 2441 babies, and Carol with 2318 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time.

Mary

3494 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) 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

2695 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) 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.
Linda

2451 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) 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."
Barbara

2441 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) 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

2318 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) 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".
Sharon
2082 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) 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.
Susan
1972 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) 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.
Nancy
1898 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sandra
1839 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) 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.
Judith
1753 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Karen
1541 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Kathleen
1417 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Donna
1291 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) 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.
Diane
1176 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) 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
1074 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Judy
968 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) named Judy
Margaret
867 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janice
836 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Joyce
785 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) 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.
Cheryl
774 baby girls born in Illinois (1946) named Cheryl
The name Cheryl is of English origin and its meaning is uncertain. It is believed to have been derived from the French name Cherie, which means "darling" or "beloved". However, some sources suggest that it may have originated from the Welsh name Ceinlys, which means "beautiful". The name Cheryl was most popular in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s.

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1946

In 1946, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Robert, James, John, Richard, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 4958 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 4790 babies. John came in third with 4588 babies, while Richard was the fourth most popular name with 3755 babies. William rounded out the top five with 3317 babies given that name.

Robert

4958 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) 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

4790 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

4588 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) 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

3755 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

3317 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) 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.
Michael
2762 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) 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.
Thomas
2618 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) 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
2427 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) 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.
Ronald
2001 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
1841 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) 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.
Dennis
1633 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) 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.
Donald
1563 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Gary
1485 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) 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.
Larry
1428 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) 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
1419 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Joseph
1162 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
1159 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) 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
1123 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) 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.
George
1008 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) 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.
Daniel
913 baby boys born in Illinois (1946) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".