Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1946

In the year 1946, Massachusetts saw a surge in popular baby names, with Mary, Patricia, and Carol leading the list for baby girls. Mary, a timeless classic, held the top spot for yet another year, while Patricia and Carol followed closely behind. These names were a reflection of the post-war era, with parents opting for traditional, feminine names for their daughters.

For baby boys, Robert, John, and Richard were the most popular names in Massachusetts in 1946. Robert held the top spot for the second year in a row, while John and Richard were close contenders. These names were a testament to the strong, masculine ideals of the time, with parents naming their sons after classic, powerful figures. Overall, the top baby names in Massachusetts in 1946 reflected the values and trends of the era, while also paving the way for future generations of names to come.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1946

In 1946, Mary was the most popular name for baby girls in Massachusetts, with 1665 babies given that name. Patricia followed closely behind with 1651 babies named, while Carol was the third most popular name with 1391 babies named. Linda and Susan rounded out the top five with 1390 and 1282 babies named respectively. These were the most popular names for baby girls in Massachusetts in 1946.

Mary

1665 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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

1651 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Carol

1391 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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".
Linda

1390 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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."
Susan

1282 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Barbara
1208 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Nancy
1174 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1946) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Judith
1146 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1946) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Donna
1064 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Kathleen
1042 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1946) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Sandra
1024 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Diane
825 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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".
Margaret
606 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1946) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Joan
598 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Karen
593 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1946) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Elizabeth
565 baby girls born in Massachusetts (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.
Janet
557 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1946) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Elaine
524 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1946) 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".
Ann
522 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1946) 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.
Janice
514 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1946) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1946

In Massachusetts in the year 1946, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, Richard, William, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 3663 babies given that name, followed closely by John with 3384 babies. Richard came in third with 3165 babies, while William and James rounded out the top five with 2237 and 2206 babies respectively.

Robert

3663 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
John

3384 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Richard

3165 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1946) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

2237 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
James

2206 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1946) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Paul
1728 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
David
1726 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Thomas
1345 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Joseph
1312 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1946) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Michael
1250 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Edward
1000 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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".
Ronald
982 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1946) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
907 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Peter
863 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1946) 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.
Donald
828 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1946) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
George
785 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Stephen
769 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1946) 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.
Kenneth
750 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1946) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Dennis
551 baby boys born in Massachusetts (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.
Daniel
507 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1946) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".