Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, Massachusetts saw an influx of new parents naming their newborns with classic and timeless names. For baby girls, Mary was the most popular name, followed by Patricia and Barbara. Mary, a name with biblical roots, has been a popular choice for centuries and continues to be a beloved name for baby girls. Patricia, a name of Latin origin meaning "noble," has also been a popular choice for parents looking for a traditional name. Barbara, a name of Greek origin meaning "strange or foreign," rounds out the top three baby girl names in Massachusetts for 1940.

For baby boys born in Massachusetts in 1940, Robert was the most popular name, followed by John and Richard. Robert, a name of German origin meaning "bright fame," has been a popular choice for parents for centuries. John, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious," has also been a beloved name for baby boys. Richard, a name of German origin meaning "brave ruler," rounds out the top three baby boy names in Massachusetts for 1940. These classic and timeless names continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1940

According to records from 1940, the most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts were Mary, Patricia, Barbara, Judith, and Carol. Mary was the most popular name with 1322 babies given this name, followed closely by Patricia with 1229 babies. Barbara, Judith, and Carol were also popular choices with 1140, 1109, and 1009 babies given these names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and societal trends of the time.

Mary

1322 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Patricia

1229 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Barbara

1140 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Judith

1109 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Carol

1009 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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
746 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Nancy
726 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sandra
704 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Margaret
515 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Ann
489 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1940) named Ann
The name Ann is a variant of the name Anne, which is derived from the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning "grace" or "favor". The name has been popular throughout history and is often associated with strong and independent women.
Elizabeth
439 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Janet
429 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1940) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Jean
428 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1940) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Dorothy
417 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Linda
365 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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."
Joyce
360 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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
350 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1940) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Janice
324 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1940) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Elaine
316 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1940) named Elaine
The name Elaine means "bright, shining light" or "torch" and is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French name Hélène, which is from the Greek name Helene, meaning "torch" or "corposant".
Marie
314 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1940) named Marie
The name Marie is the French variant of Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew. It is a popular name among Christians and has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with purity, grace, and elegance.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1940

In 1940, the most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts were Robert, John, Richard, William, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 2641 babies given the name, followed closely by John with 2387 babies. Richard, William, and James rounded out the top five with 1981, 1615, and 1314 babies given those names, respectively.

Robert

2641 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
John

2387 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Richard

1981 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

1615 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
James

1314 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David
1162 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Paul
1009 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Joseph
987 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
826 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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
776 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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".
Charles
719 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
George
704 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Donald
637 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
637 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Peter
502 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Michael
475 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1940) 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.
Kenneth
414 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Francis
392 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1940) named Francis
The name Francis is derived from the Latin name Franciscus, which means "Frenchman" or "free man". It has been a popular name throughout history, particularly among Christians due to its association with Saint Francis of Assisi. The name is often associated with humility, kindness, and a love for nature and animals.
Raymond
368 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1940) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Arthur
361 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1940) named Arthur
The name Arthur is of Celtic origin and means "bear". It was a popular name among the kings and nobles of medieval England, and has since become a classic name that is still in use today.