Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1942

In the year 1942, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in the popularity of traditional and classic names for newborns. Mary, Patricia, and Carol emerged as the top three most popular names for baby girls, with Mary taking the lead as the most favored name. These names reflect the timeless elegance and grace that parents sought for their daughters during this time.

For baby boys, the names Robert, John, and Richard were the most popular choices among parents. These names exude strength, masculinity, and a sense of tradition. It is no surprise that these names have stood the test of time and continue to remain popular even today. Overall, the names chosen by parents in 1942 in Massachusetts reflect a desire for classic and timeless names that have a sense of history and tradition.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1942

In 1942, the most popular baby girl name in Massachusetts was Mary, with 1625 newborns given this name. Following closely behind were Patricia with 1509, Carol with 1474, Barbara with 1363, and Judith with 1340. These names were popular choices for parents during that time period, and they continue to have a classic and timeless feel.

Mary

1625 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Patricia

1509 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Carol

1474 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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".
Barbara

1363 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Judith

1340 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1942) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Sandra
933 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Nancy
927 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1942) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Linda
813 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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."
Joan
801 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1942) 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.
Susan
615 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1942) 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.
Margaret
563 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1942) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Elizabeth
549 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1942) 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.
Ann
529 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1942) 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.
Elaine
506 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1942) 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".
Janet
491 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1942) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Dorothy
485 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1942) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Kathleen
465 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1942) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Beverly
443 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1942) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Diane
441 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1942) 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".
Jean
436 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1942) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1942

In 1942, the most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts were Robert, John, Richard, William, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 3172 babies given this name. John was a close second with 3019 babies named John. Richard, William, and James were also popular choices for baby boys, with 2389, 1986, and 1854 babies given these names, respectively. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be popular choices for baby boys today.

Robert

3172 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
John

3019 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Richard

2389 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1942) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

1986 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
James

1854 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1942) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David
1436 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Joseph
1257 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1942) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Paul
1209 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Thomas
1098 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Edward
992 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1942) 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
864 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Ronald
812 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1942) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
George
799 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Michael
740 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Donald
706 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1942) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Peter
692 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1942) 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.
Kenneth
612 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1942) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Francis
527 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1942) 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.
Stephen
493 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1942) named Stephen
The name Stephen means "crown" or "garland" in Greek. It is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, which was a common name among early Christians due to its association with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Raymond
469 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1942) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".