Maryland's most popular baby names in 1946

In the year of 1946, the most popular baby girl names in Maryland were Mary, Patricia, and Barbara. Mary, a classic name with religious roots, has been a popular choice for centuries. Patricia, a name of Latin origin meaning "noble," was also a common choice for parents. Barbara, a name of Greek origin meaning "foreign woman," was another popular option.

For baby boys, the top names in Maryland were John, Robert, and James. John, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious," has been a popular choice for centuries. Robert, a name of Germanic origin meaning "bright fame," was also a common choice for parents. James, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter," rounded out the top three for baby boy names in Maryland in 1946.

Overall, these names reflect the traditional and religious values of the time period, with parents choosing classic and timeless names for their newborns.

Most popular baby girl names in Maryland in 1946

In Maryland in 1946, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 1183 babies given that name. Patricia and Barbara were close behind, with 828 and 825 babies given those names, respectively. Linda was the fourth most popular name, with 674 babies receiving it, and Carol rounded out the top five with 508 babies given that name.

Mary

1183 baby girls born in Maryland (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.
Patricia

828 baby girls born in Maryland (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.
Barbara

825 baby girls born in Maryland (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.
Linda

674 baby girls born in Maryland (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."
Carol

508 baby girls born in Maryland (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".
Nancy
503 baby girls born in Maryland (1946) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sharon
426 baby girls born in Maryland (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.
Carolyn
386 baby girls born in Maryland (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.
Sandra
377 baby girls born in Maryland (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.
Margaret
374 baby girls born in Maryland (1946) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Susan
364 baby girls born in Maryland (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.
Joyce
319 baby girls born in Maryland (1946) 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.
Shirley
307 baby girls born in Maryland (1946) 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.
Betty
283 baby girls born in Maryland (1946) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Donna
278 baby girls born in Maryland (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.
Judith
264 baby girls born in Maryland (1946) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Joan
257 baby girls born in Maryland (1946) 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.
Elizabeth
241 baby girls born in Maryland (1946) 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.
Dorothy
240 baby girls born in Maryland (1946) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Diane
227 baby girls born in Maryland (1946) named Diane
Diane is a feminine given name of French origin. The name is derived from the Roman goddess Diana, who was the goddess of hunting, the moon, and childbirth. The name Diane means "divine" or "heavenly".

Most popular baby boy names in Maryland in 1946

According to data from 1946, the most popular baby boy names in Maryland were John and Robert, both with 1342 occurrences. James followed closely behind with 1317 occurrences, while William and Charles rounded out the top five with 1225 and 906 occurrences, respectively. These names were likely chosen by parents who valued traditional and classic names for their sons.

John

1342 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
Robert

1342 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
James

1317 baby boys born in Maryland (1946) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

1225 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
Charles

906 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
Richard
828 baby boys born in Maryland (1946) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Thomas
588 baby boys born in Maryland (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
564 baby boys born in Maryland (1946) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Joseph
546 baby boys born in Maryland (1946) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Michael
520 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
David
495 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
George
490 baby boys born in Maryland (1946) 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.
Edward
390 baby boys born in Maryland (1946) 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".
Donald
367 baby boys born in Maryland (1946) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Paul
324 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
Gary
321 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
Larry
297 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
Kenneth
279 baby boys born in Maryland (1946) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Dennis
258 baby boys born in Maryland (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.
Wayne
221 baby boys born in Maryland (1946) 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.