Louisiana's most popular baby names in 1940

Louisiana, a state with a rich cultural heritage, has always been known for its unique and diverse baby names. In the year 1940, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Barbara, and Betty. These classic names have stood the test of time and are still popular today. Mary, a name of biblical origin, has been a top name for centuries and continues to be a favorite among parents in Louisiana.

For baby boys, the top names were James, John, and Robert. These names have also been popular for decades and have a strong traditional appeal. James, a name of English origin, has been a top name for boys in Louisiana for many years. John, another classic name, is a timeless choice that never goes out of style. Robert, a name of German origin, is a strong and masculine name that has been a favorite among parents in Louisiana for generations. Overall, the top baby names of 1940 in Louisiana reflect the state's love for traditional and classic names.

Most popular baby girl names in Louisiana in 1940

In Louisiana, 1940, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls with 1412 occurrences. Barbara came in second with 705 occurrences, followed by Betty with 645 occurrences. Dorothy and Shirley were also popular names with 502 and 465 occurrences, respectively.

Mary

1412 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) 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.
Barbara

705 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) 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.
Betty

645 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Dorothy

502 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Shirley

465 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) 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.
Patricia
429 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) 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.
Gloria
349 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Carolyn
308 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) 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.
Linda
305 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) 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."
Helen
239 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) named Helen
Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Joyce
236 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) 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.
Margaret
222 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Doris
221 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Geraldine
210 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) named Geraldine
The name Geraldine is of English origin and means "ruling spear".
Alice
201 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) named Alice
The name Alice is of German origin and means "noble" or "of noble birth". It is a popular name that has been used for centuries and has been the name of many notable fictional characters in literature and film.
Rose
201 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) named Rose
The name Rose is of English origin and means "rose flower". It is a popular name for girls and is often associated with beauty, love, and passion. The name has been used since the Middle Ages and has been a symbol of love and affection throughout history.
Martha
196 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) named Martha
The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.
Annie
186 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) named Annie
The name Annie is a diminutive form of the name Ann or Anna. It is of Hebrew origin and means "gracious" or "full of grace".
Sandra
185 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) 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.
Elizabeth
184 baby girls born in Louisiana (1940) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.

Most popular baby boy names in Louisiana in 1940

In 1940, the most popular baby boy names in Louisiana were James, John, Robert, Charles, and Joseph. James was the most popular name with 1166 babies given that name, followed by John with 940 babies, Robert with 795 babies, Charles with 736 babies, and Joseph with 715 babies. These names were likely influenced by traditional and biblical names that were common during that time period.

James

1166 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

940 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) 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.
Robert

795 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) 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.
Charles

736 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) 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.
Joseph

715 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
William
528 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) 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.
Willie
390 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Donald
356 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
George
341 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) 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.
Richard
340 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Jerry
313 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) 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.
Thomas
277 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) 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.
Edward
267 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Louis
255 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) named Louis
The name Louis is of French origin and means "famous warrior" or "renowned fighter". It is derived from the Germanic name Ludwig, which is composed of the elements "hlud" meaning "famous" and "wig" meaning "warrior".
Henry
249 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) named Henry
The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.
Larry
244 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) 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
241 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) 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.
Frank
235 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Kenneth
224 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Raymond
212 baby boys born in Louisiana (1940) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".