Illinois's most popular baby names in 1947

Illinois has a rich history of naming their newborns with some of the most popular names across the country. The year 1947 was no different, with Linda leading the pack as the most popular baby girl name in the state. Mary and Patricia followed closely behind, showcasing the timeless appeal of traditional names.

For baby boys, James took the top spot, with Robert and John not far behind. These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today. Whether you're looking for a traditional name with a modern twist or a timeless moniker that will never go out of style, the top baby names of 1947 in Illinois offer plenty of inspiration.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1947

In 1947, the most popular baby girl names in Illinois were Linda, Mary, Patricia, Barbara, and Carol. Linda was the most popular name with 5285 babies being given that name. Mary was the second most popular name with 3939 babies given that name. Patricia, Barbara, and Carol followed closely behind with 3009, 2798, and 2286 babies given those names respectively. These names were popular choices for parents in Illinois during that time period.

Linda

5285 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) 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."
Mary

3939 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) 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

3009 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) 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

2798 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) 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

2286 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) 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".
Susan
2128 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) 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
2104 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sandra
1951 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) 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.
Sharon
1922 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) 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.
Kathleen
1643 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Donna
1546 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) 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.
Judith
1529 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Karen
1514 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Diane
1238 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) 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
1072 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Margaret
1001 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Cheryl
965 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) 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.
Judy
949 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) named Judy
Pamela
937 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) named Pamela
The name Pamela is of Greek origin and means "all sweetness" or "honeyed". It was first popularized by Sir Philip Sidney in his pastoral romance "Arcadia" (1590) and later by Samuel Richardson in his novel "Pamela" (1740).
Janice
889 baby girls born in Illinois (1947) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1947

In Illinois, 1947, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, John, William, and Richard. James and Robert were the most popular names with 5349 and 5332 babies respectively given those names. John followed closely with 5151 babies named, while William and Richard came in fourth and fifth place with 3678 and 3535 babies named respectively. These names were likely influenced by cultural and societal trends at the time.

James

5349 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

5332 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) 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.
John

5151 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) 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

3678 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) 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

3535 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Michael
3431 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) 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
3073 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) 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.
Thomas
2929 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) 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.
Ronald
2203 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
1890 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) 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.
Larry
1747 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) 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.
Donald
1649 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Gary
1638 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) 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.
Dennis
1564 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) 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.
Kenneth
1521 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Joseph
1458 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Paul
1229 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) 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.
Edward
1220 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) 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".
George
1200 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) 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.
Terry
974 baby boys born in Illinois (1947) named Terry
The name Terry is a unisex name of English origin, derived from the name Terence. The meaning of the name Terry is "smooth, tender".