Indiana's most popular baby names in 1946

In 1946, the state of Indiana saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. Mary, Linda, and Sharon were among the most popular names given to baby girls, while James, Robert, and John topped the list for baby boys.

These classic names were likely chosen by parents who desired timeless and enduring monikers for their children. Mary, a name with biblical origins, has been a popular choice for centuries, while Linda and Sharon were more modern options that gained popularity in the mid-20th century. Similarly, James, Robert, and John have been popular names for boys for generations, and continue to be popular choices today.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1946

According to the data from Indiana in 1946, Mary was the most popular name given to baby girls with a total of 1611 occurrences. Linda was a close second with 1529 occurrences, followed by Sharon with 1170 occurrences. Patricia and Sandra were also popular choices with 1082 and 998 occurrences respectively. These names reflect the traditional and classic naming trends of the time.

Mary

1611 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Linda

1529 baby girls born in Indiana (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."
Sharon

1170 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Patricia

1082 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Sandra

998 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Barbara
993 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Nancy
941 baby girls born in Indiana (1946) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Carol
933 baby girls born in Indiana (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".
Judith
773 baby girls born in Indiana (1946) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Susan
769 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Karen
750 baby girls born in Indiana (1946) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Donna
680 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Carolyn
664 baby girls born in Indiana (1946) 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.
Judy
661 baby girls born in Indiana (1946) named Judy
Janet
652 baby girls born in Indiana (1946) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Diana
475 baby girls born in Indiana (1946) named Diana
The name Diana is of Latin origin and means "divine" or "heavenly". It is also associated with the Roman goddess of the hunt, wild animals, childbirth, and the moon.
Cheryl
441 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Betty
439 baby girls born in Indiana (1946) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Pamela
414 baby girls born in Indiana (1946) 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).
Connie
413 baby girls born in Indiana (1946) named Connie
The name Connie is a diminutive form of the name Constance, which is derived from the Latin word "constantia" meaning "steadfastness" or "constancy". The name Connie is often used as a standalone name and can also be a nickname for other names such as Constance, Constanza, or Conrad.

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1946

In Indiana, 1946, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, John, David, and Michael. James was the most popular name with 2295 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 2025 babies. John came in third with 1987 babies named that, while David and Michael were fourth and fifth with 1644 and 1614 babies respectively. These five names were the most commonly given to baby boys in Indiana during that year.

James

2295 baby boys born in Indiana (1946) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

2025 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
John

1987 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
David

1644 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Michael

1614 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Richard
1468 baby boys born in Indiana (1946) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William
1378 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Larry
1259 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Thomas
1047 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Ronald
981 baby boys born in Indiana (1946) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
966 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Donald
886 baby boys born in Indiana (1946) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Gary
755 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Dennis
708 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Jerry
673 baby boys born in Indiana (1946) 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.
Stephen
625 baby boys born in Indiana (1946) 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.
Kenneth
571 baby boys born in Indiana (1946) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Paul
568 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Terry
550 baby boys born in Indiana (1946) 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".
Steven
537 baby boys born in Indiana (1946) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.