Indiana's most popular baby names in 1941

In the year 1941, the state of Indiana witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Judith, and Patricia were the top three names for baby girls, while James, Robert, and John were the most popular names for baby boys. These names were chosen by parents all across the state, reflecting the cultural and social trends of the time.

Mary, a timeless classic, remained the most popular name for baby girls in Indiana. Judith and Patricia, both of which have biblical roots, were also highly favored by parents. On the other hand, James, Robert, and John were the most popular names for baby boys, reflecting a strong preference for traditional, masculine names. Overall, the baby names of 1941 in Indiana were a reflection of the values and beliefs of the time, and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1941

In Indiana in 1941, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 1361 babies given that name. Judith came in second with 1118 babies, followed by Patricia with 980 babies. Barbara was the fourth most popular name with 941 babies, and Linda came in fifth with 926 babies.

Mary

1361 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) 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.
Judith

1118 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Patricia

980 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) 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

941 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) 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.
Linda

926 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) 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
923 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) 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.
Nancy
854 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sandra
769 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) 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.
Carolyn
723 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) 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.
Carol
659 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) 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".
Judy
606 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) named Judy
Janet
581 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Shirley
469 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Betty
450 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Joyce
442 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) 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.
Karen
438 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Donna
419 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) 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.
Janice
383 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Marilyn
380 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) 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".
Beverly
375 baby girls born in Indiana (1941) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1941

In 1941, the most popular baby boy names in Indiana were James, Robert, John, Larry, and William. James was the most popular name with 1788 babies given that name. Robert came in second with 1650 babies, followed by John with 1478 babies. Larry was the fourth most popular name with 1400 babies, and William rounded out the top five with 1201 babies given that name.

James

1788 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1650 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) 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

1478 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) 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.
Larry

1400 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) 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.
William

1201 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) 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.
David
1189 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) 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.
Richard
1022 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Ronald
951 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
907 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) 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.
Jerry
881 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) named Jerry
The name Jerry is a diminutive form of the name Gerald or Gerard, which means "ruler with a spear" or "brave with a spear" respectively. It is of Old German origin.
Donald
754 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Thomas
742 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) 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
528 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) 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.
Kenneth
462 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
431 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) 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
374 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) 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.
Gary
368 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) 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.
Stephen
342 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) named Stephen
The name Stephen means "crown" or "garland" in Greek. It is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, which was a common name among early Christians due to its association with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Joseph
336 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Dennis
307 baby boys born in Indiana (1941) 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.