Indiana's most popular baby names in 1942

In the year 1942, the state of Indiana witnessed the birth of numerous babies who were given some of the most popular names of the time. For baby girls, Mary was the most popular name, followed closely by Linda and Judith. Mary has been a popular name for centuries, and it continues to be a timeless classic even today. Linda, on the other hand, was a relatively new name that had gained immense popularity in the 1940s.

For baby boys, James was the top choice for parents in Indiana in 1942. This name has been a favorite among parents for decades and continues to be a popular choice even today. Robert and John were also popular names for baby boys in Indiana in 1942. These names have a timeless appeal and have been popular for generations. Overall, the baby names of 1942 in Indiana reflect the traditional and classic naming trends of the time.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1942

According to data from 1942, the most popular baby girl names in Indiana were Mary, Linda, Judith, Sharon, and Barbara. Mary was the most popular name with 1547 babies given that name, followed by Linda with 1116 babies, Judith with 1109 babies, Sharon with 1077 babies, and Barbara with 1007 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends during that time period.

Mary

1547 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) 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.
Linda

1116 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) 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."
Judith

1109 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Sharon

1077 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) 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.
Barbara

1007 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) 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.
Patricia
1000 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) 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.
Sandra
908 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) 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
886 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Carolyn
872 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) 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
802 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) 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".
Karen
640 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Janet
594 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Judy
589 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) named Judy
Donna
521 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) 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.
Betty
466 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Shirley
461 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) 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.
Joyce
446 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) 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
396 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) 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".
Janice
385 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Beverly
325 baby girls born in Indiana (1942) 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 1942

In Indiana, 1942, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, John, William, and Larry. James was the most popular name with 2044 babies being given that name, followed by Robert with 1859 babies. John, William, and Larry were also popular names with 1652, 1452, and 1430 babies being given those names respectively.

James

2044 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1859 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) 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

1652 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) 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

1452 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) 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.
Larry

1430 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) 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.
David
1408 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) 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
1158 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Ronald
1015 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
953 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) 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.
Thomas
942 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) 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.
Jerry
869 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) 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
793 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Michael
780 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) 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.
Paul
510 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) 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.
Kenneth
488 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
George
439 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) 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
433 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) 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
403 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) 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.
Dennis
379 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) 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
377 baby boys born in Indiana (1942) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".