Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1947

In 1947, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in popularity of certain baby names that have remained classics to this day. For baby girls, Linda was the most popular name, followed by Mary and Patricia. Linda, which means "pretty" or "soft" in Spanish, was a name that had been gaining popularity since the 1930s and continued to be a favorite throughout the 1940s.

For baby boys, the top names were Robert, John, and Richard. Robert, which means "bright fame," was the most popular name of the three and had been a favorite for several decades. John, which means "God is gracious," and Richard, which means "brave ruler," were also popular choices for parents in Massachusetts in 1947. These classic names have stood the test of time and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1947

In Massachusetts in 1947, Linda was the most popular name for baby girls with 2,708 babies given that name. Mary came in second with 1,858 babies, followed closely by Patricia with 1,755 babies. Susan and Nancy rounded out the top five with 1,518 and 1,304 babies respectively given those names.

Linda

2708 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) 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."
Mary

1858 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) 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

1755 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) 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.
Susan

1518 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) 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.
Nancy

1304 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Barbara
1250 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) 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.
Carol
1244 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) 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".
Kathleen
1236 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Donna
1193 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) 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
1097 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Sandra
1034 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) 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
852 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) 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
731 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Karen
694 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Elizabeth
643 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) 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
575 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Ann
554 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) 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
547 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Jean
541 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) 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.
Joan
534 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1947) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1947

In Massachusetts in 1947, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, Richard, James, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 3895 babies given that name, closely followed by John with 3828 babies. Richard, James, and William rounded out the top five with 2893, 2413, and 2386 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and traditional family names at the time.

Robert

3895 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) 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

3828 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) 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

2893 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
James

2413 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

2386 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) 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.
David
2096 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) 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
1853 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) 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
1647 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) 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.
Michael
1549 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) 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.
Joseph
1459 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
1140 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) 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
1082 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Charles
987 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) 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.
Stephen
978 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) 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.
Peter
946 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) 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.
George
900 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) 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
895 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Kenneth
768 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Daniel
613 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Dennis
598 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1947) 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.