Kansas's most popular baby names in 1942

In the year 1942, the state of Kansas witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary was the most popular name for baby girls, followed by Sharon and Karen. These names were reflective of the traditional and religious values that were prevalent in the state at the time.

For baby boys, the top names were Larry, Robert, and James. These names were indicative of the strong and masculine values that were prized in the state. Parents in Kansas were keen on giving their children names that reflected their values and aspirations, and these names were a reflection of that trend. Overall, the most popular names of 1942 in Kansas were a reflection of the values and beliefs that were held dear by the people of the state.

Most popular baby girl names in Kansas in 1942

In 1942, the most popular baby girl names in Kansas were Mary, Sharon, Karen, Barbara, and Linda. Mary was by far the most popular name, given to 688 baby girls. Sharon was the second most popular, given to 505 baby girls, followed by Karen with 435, Barbara with 414, and Linda with 389. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

  1. Mary

    688 baby girls born in Kansas (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.

  2. Sharon

    505 baby girls born in Kansas (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.

  3. Karen

    435 baby girls born in Kansas (1942) named Karen

    Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

  4. Barbara

    414 baby girls born in Kansas (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.

  5. Linda

    389 baby girls born in Kansas (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."

  6. Carol

    365 baby girls born in Kansas (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".

  7. Judy

    355 baby girls born in Kansas (1942) named Judy

  8. Patricia

    353 baby girls born in Kansas (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.

  9. Judith

    326 baby girls born in Kansas (1942) named Judith

    The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".

  10. Carolyn

    314 baby girls born in Kansas (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.

  11. Nancy

    264 baby girls born in Kansas (1942) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  12. Shirley

    260 baby girls born in Kansas (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.

  13. Sandra

    255 baby girls born in Kansas (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.

  14. Betty

    240 baby girls born in Kansas (1942) named Betty

    The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".

  15. Donna

    233 baby girls born in Kansas (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.

  16. Joyce

    225 baby girls born in Kansas (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.

  17. Marilyn

    223 baby girls born in Kansas (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".

  18. Janet

    201 baby girls born in Kansas (1942) named Janet

    The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".

  19. Janice

    191 baby girls born in Kansas (1942) named Janice

    The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".

  20. Connie

    156 baby girls born in Kansas (1942) 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 Kansas in 1942

In 1942, the top five most popular baby boy names in Kansas were Larry with 734 occurrences, followed by Robert with 715 occurrences, James with 658 occurrences, John with 632 occurrences, and Richard with 546 occurrences. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical events of the time.

  1. Larry

    734 baby boys born in Kansas (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.

  2. Robert

    715 baby boys born in Kansas (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.

  3. James

    658 baby boys born in Kansas (1942) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  4. John

    632 baby boys born in Kansas (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.

  5. Richard

    546 baby boys born in Kansas (1942) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  6. Gary

    470 baby boys born in Kansas (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.

  7. Charles

    456 baby boys born in Kansas (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.

  8. William

    420 baby boys born in Kansas (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.

  9. Ronald

    397 baby boys born in Kansas (1942) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  10. Donald

    375 baby boys born in Kansas (1942) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  11. David

    374 baby boys born in Kansas (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.

  12. Jerry

    322 baby boys born in Kansas (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.

  13. Kenneth

    309 baby boys born in Kansas (1942) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  14. Michael

    226 baby boys born in Kansas (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.

  15. Thomas

    216 baby boys born in Kansas (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.

  16. Dennis

    213 baby boys born in Kansas (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.

  17. George

    179 baby boys born in Kansas (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.

  18. Harold

    159 baby boys born in Kansas (1942) named Harold

    The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.

  19. Paul

    151 baby boys born in Kansas (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.

  20. Roger

    146 baby boys born in Kansas (1942) named Roger

    The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".