Indiana's most popular baby names in 1949

In the year 1949, the state of Indiana saw a surge in the popularity of traditional names for newborns. Baby girls were most commonly named Linda, Mary, and Patricia, while baby boys were often given the names James, Michael, and John.

Linda was the most popular name for baby girls in Indiana in 1949, followed closely by Mary and Patricia. These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today. For baby boys, James was the top choice, followed by Michael and John. These strong, timeless names have remained popular over the years and are still commonly used in Indiana and throughout the United States.

Most popular baby girl names in Indiana in 1949

In Indiana in the year 1949, the most popular baby girl name was Linda, with a total of 2581 babies given that name. Mary came in second place with 1560 babies, followed by Patricia with 1152 babies. Barbara and Susan rounded out the top five with 1018 and 1005 babies given those names, respectively.

Linda

2581 baby girls born in Indiana (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

1560 baby girls born in Indiana (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

1152 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Barbara

1018 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Susan

1005 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Nancy
945 baby girls born in Indiana (1949) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sandra
914 baby girls born in Indiana (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
885 baby girls born in Indiana (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
807 baby girls born in Indiana (1949) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Carol
764 baby girls born in Indiana (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".
Deborah
752 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Brenda
693 baby girls born in Indiana (1949) named Brenda
The name Brenda is of Old Norse origin and means "sword" or "torch". It was popularized in the 20th century as a given name, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.
Pamela
683 baby girls born in Indiana (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).
Donna
654 baby girls born in Indiana (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.
Janet
579 baby girls born in Indiana (1949) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Judith
562 baby girls born in Indiana (1949) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Rebecca
560 baby girls born in Indiana (1949) named Rebecca
Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.
Kathleen
531 baby girls born in Indiana (1949) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Carolyn
502 baby girls born in Indiana (1949) 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.
Cheryl
476 baby girls born in Indiana (1949) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Indiana in 1949

In Indiana in 1949, the most popular baby boy names were James, Michael, John, David, and Robert. James was the most popular name, with 2375 babies being given that name. Michael and John were close behind with 2226 and 2128 babies respectively. David and Robert rounded out the top five with 2030 and 2010 babies being given those names. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, as well as traditional and family names.

James

2375 baby boys born in Indiana (1949) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Michael

2226 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
John

2128 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
David

2030 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Robert

2010 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
William
1567 baby boys born in Indiana (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
1352 baby boys born in Indiana (1949) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
1283 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Larry
1161 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Charles
1095 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Steven
1057 baby boys born in Indiana (1949) named Steven
The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.
Stephen
952 baby boys born in Indiana (1949) 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.
Ronald
884 baby boys born in Indiana (1949) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
818 baby boys born in Indiana (1949) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Gary
810 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Dennis
759 baby boys born in Indiana (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.
Kenneth
636 baby boys born in Indiana (1949) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jerry
592 baby boys born in Indiana (1949) 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.
Terry
536 baby boys born in Indiana (1949) 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".
Daniel
525 baby boys born in Indiana (1949) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".