Maine's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Maine witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Patricia, Mary, and Sandra emerged as the top choices for baby girls, while Robert, Richard, and John were the favored names for baby boys. These names were not only popular in Maine but across the United States as well.

The name Patricia, which means "noble," was a favorite among parents who wanted a sophisticated name for their daughter. Mary, a classic name that has been popular for centuries, was also a top choice. Sandra, a name that means "defender of mankind," was a relatively new name that gained popularity in the 1940s. On the other hand, Robert, Richard, and John were traditional names that had been popular for decades and continued to be so in 1940.

Most popular baby girl names in Maine in 1940

In 1940, the most popular baby girl names in Maine were Patricia, Mary, Sandra, Judith, and Nancy. Patricia was the most popular name with 240 babies given this name. Mary came in second with 223 babies given this name, followed by Sandra with 198 babies, Judith with 182 babies, and Nancy with 152 babies. These were the top five names for baby girls in Maine during that year.

Patricia

240 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Mary

223 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Sandra

198 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Judith

182 baby girls born in Maine (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Nancy

152 baby girls born in Maine (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Barbara
151 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Linda
120 baby girls born in Maine (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."
Carol
108 baby girls born in Maine (1940) 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".
Joan
108 baby girls born in Maine (1940) named Joan
The name Joan is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a feminine name that was popularized in the Middle Ages and has been in use ever since. The name is often associated with strong and independent women, such as Joan of Arc.
Joyce
105 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Beverly
103 baby girls born in Maine (1940) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Donna
93 baby girls born in Maine (1940) 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.
Janice
87 baby girls born in Maine (1940) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Gloria
82 baby girls born in Maine (1940) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Betty
82 baby girls born in Maine (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Dorothy
82 baby girls born in Maine (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Elizabeth
80 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Shirley
76 baby girls born in Maine (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.
Lorraine
75 baby girls born in Maine (1940) named Lorraine
The name Lorraine is of French origin and is derived from the region of Lorraine in France. The meaning of the name is "from Lorraine" or "dweller of Lorraine".
Jacqueline
72 baby girls born in Maine (1940) named Jacqueline
The name Jacqueline is a French name that means "supplanter" or "one who takes the place of another". It is the feminine form of the name Jacques.

Most popular baby boy names in Maine in 1940

In Maine, 1940, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, Richard, John, David, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 441 babies given that name, followed by Richard with 388 babies. John was the third most popular name with 285 babies, while David and James came in fourth and fifth place with 258 and 206 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional family names.

Robert

441 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Richard

388 baby boys born in Maine (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

285 baby boys born in Maine (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.
David

258 baby boys born in Maine (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.
James

206 baby boys born in Maine (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William
179 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Donald
177 baby boys born in Maine (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
139 baby boys born in Maine (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
George
137 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Paul
134 baby boys born in Maine (1940) 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.
Charles
126 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Roger
112 baby boys born in Maine (1940) 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".
Joseph
100 baby boys born in Maine (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Kenneth
89 baby boys born in Maine (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Thomas
84 baby boys born in Maine (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.
Peter
82 baby boys born in Maine (1940) named Peter
The name Peter is derived from the Greek name Petros, meaning "rock" or "stone". It is a common name in many cultures and languages, and is often associated with qualities such as strength, stability, and steadfastness.
Gerald
79 baby boys born in Maine (1940) named Gerald
The name Gerald means "ruler with a spear" or "rule of the spear". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobles.
Edward
78 baby boys born in Maine (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".
Wayne
78 baby boys born in Maine (1940) named Wayne
The name Wayne means "wagon maker" or "wagon driver". It has Old English origins and was originally a surname before becoming a first name.
Raymond
77 baby boys born in Maine (1940) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".