Illinois's most popular baby names in 1949

In the year 1949, the state of Illinois saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. The top baby girl names of the year were Linda, Mary, and Patricia, while the top baby boy names were Robert, James, and John.

Linda, which means "pretty" or "soft" in Spanish, was the most popular name for baby girls in Illinois in 1949. Mary, a classic name with biblical origins, came in second place. Patricia, which means "noble" or "patrician" in Latin, was a close third. For baby boys, Robert, a name of Germanic origin meaning "bright fame," was the most popular. James, which means "supplanter" in Hebrew, came in second place, while John, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious," rounded out the top three. These names reflect the trends and cultural influences of the time, and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Illinois in 1949

In 1949, the most popular baby girl name in Illinois was Linda, with a total of 4998 babies given that name. Following closely behind were Mary with 3729 babies, Patricia with 2703 babies, Susan with 2511 babies, and Barbara with 2404 babies. These names were the top 5 most popular names for baby girls in Illinois during that year.

Linda

4998 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) 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

3729 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) 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

2703 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) 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.
Susan

2511 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) 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.
Barbara

2404 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) 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.
Kathleen
1932 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Nancy
1819 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Carol
1799 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) 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".
Sandra
1791 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) 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
1605 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) 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.
Karen
1495 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Donna
1316 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) 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
1300 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Pamela
1214 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) 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).
Deborah
1151 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) named Deborah
Deborah is a Hebrew name that means "bee". It is derived from the Hebrew word "d'vorah" which also means "word" or "thing". The name Deborah is often associated with strength, wisdom, and leadership, as the biblical Deborah was a judge and prophetess who led the Israelites to victory over their enemies.
Diane
1144 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) 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
1055 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Margaret
1011 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janice
905 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Christine
871 baby girls born in Illinois (1949) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".

Most popular baby boy names in Illinois in 1949

According to data from 1949, the most popular baby boy names in Illinois were Robert, James, John, Michael, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 5007 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 4817 babies and John with 4790 babies. Michael was the fourth most popular name with 4250 babies given that name, and William rounded out the top five with 3350 babies given that name.

Robert

5007 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) 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

4817 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

4790 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) 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.
Michael

4250 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) 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.
William

3350 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) 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
3188 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David
3175 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) 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
2960 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) 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.
Charles
1923 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) 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
1764 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
1555 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Gary
1509 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) 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
1486 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) 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
1446 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Dennis
1379 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) 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
1376 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Steven
1340 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Daniel
1193 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Paul
1176 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) 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
1161 baby boys born in Illinois (1949) 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".