Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1943

In 1943, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in baby names that have stood the test of time. The most popular names for baby girls were Mary, Patricia, and Carol, while baby boys were commonly named Robert, John, and Richard.

Mary, a timeless classic, held the top spot for baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1943. Patricia and Carol followed closely behind, both names that have remained popular throughout the years. For baby boys, Robert was the most popular name, followed by John and Richard, all strong and traditional names that continue to be popular choices for parents today. These names are a testament to the enduring nature of classic baby names and their ability to remain relevant and beloved for generations.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1943

According to records from 1943, the most popular baby girl name in Massachusetts was Mary, with a total of 1703 babies given the name. Patricia came in second with 1475, followed by Carol with 1357, Judith with 1331, and Barbara with 1271. These names were the top choices for parents in Massachusetts during that year.

Mary

1703 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) 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

1475 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) 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

1357 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) 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".
Judith

1331 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Barbara

1271 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) 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.
Sandra
924 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) 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
908 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Linda
893 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) 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."
Susan
806 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) 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.
Joan
736 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) 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.
Margaret
609 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Diane
598 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) 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".
Kathleen
582 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Donna
569 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) 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.
Ann
558 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) 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
528 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) 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
523 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Elaine
522 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) 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".
Joyce
514 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) 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.
Dorothy
488 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1943) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1943

Based on data from Massachusetts in 1943, the top five most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, Richard, William, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 3142 babies given that name, followed closely by John with 3097 babies. Richard, William, and James rounded out the top five with 2443, 2108, and 1884 babies given those names, respectively.

Robert

3142 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) 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

3097 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) 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

2443 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

2108 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) 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

1884 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
David
1417 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) 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
1338 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) 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
1290 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
1201 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) 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
1052 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) 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".
Ronald
936 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
907 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) 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
869 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) 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
801 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Michael
788 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) 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.
Peter
743 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) 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
599 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Stephen
528 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) 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
473 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Francis
469 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1943) 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.