Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1949

In the year 1949, Massachusetts saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, Linda took the top spot, followed closely by Mary and Susan. These names were chosen by parents who wanted to give their daughters strong and traditional names that would stand the test of time.

Meanwhile, for baby boys, Robert was the most popular name, followed by John and Richard. These classic names were favored by parents who wanted to give their sons names that were both timeless and masculine. Whether you're looking for a name for your own child or simply curious about the naming trends of the past, the top baby names of 1949 in Massachusetts provide a fascinating glimpse into the world of baby naming.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1949

In Massachusetts in 1949, the most popular baby girl name was Linda, with 2421 babies given that name. Mary came in second with 1729 babies, followed by Susan with 1611 babies. Patricia was the fourth most popular name with 1383 babies, and Kathleen rounded out the top five with 1314 babies given that name. These were the most popular names for baby girls in Massachusetts during that year.

Linda

2421 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) 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

1729 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) 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.
Susan

1611 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) 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.
Patricia

1383 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) 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.
Kathleen

1314 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Nancy
1155 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Donna
1134 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) 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.
Barbara
1045 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) 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
914 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) 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".
Diane
882 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) 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".
Sandra
829 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) 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.
Judith
816 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Karen
790 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Deborah
721 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) named Deborah
Deborah is a Hebrew name that means "bee". It is derived from the Hebrew word "d'vorah" which also means "word" or "thing". The name Deborah is often associated with strength, wisdom, and leadership, as the biblical Deborah was a judge and prophetess who led the Israelites to victory over their enemies.
Elizabeth
646 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) 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.
Christine
632 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
Margaret
589 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janet
585 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Maureen
509 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) named Maureen
Maureen is a feminine name of Irish origin, derived from the Irish name Máirín, which is a diminutive form of Máire, the Irish version of Mary. The name Maureen means "bitter" or "beloved" in Irish Gaelic.
Janice
496 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1949) 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 1949

In 1949, the most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts were Robert, John, Richard, James, and William. Robert was the most popular name with 3300 babies given that name, followed closely by John with 3250 babies. Richard was the third most popular name with 2420 babies given that name, while James and William rounded out the top five with 2161 and 2063 babies respectively.

Robert

3300 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) 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

3250 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) 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

2420 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
James

2161 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
William

2063 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) 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
1947 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) 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.
Michael
1814 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) 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.
Paul
1686 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) 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
1510 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) 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.
Stephen
1245 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) 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.
Joseph
1237 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Edward
997 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) 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
870 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) 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
866 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) 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.
Ronald
810 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
George
777 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) 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
758 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Kenneth
745 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Daniel
682 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Mark
550 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1949) named Mark
The name Mark is derived from the Latin name "Marcus" which means "dedicated to Mars", the Roman god of war. It is a popular name among Christians as it is the name of one of the four Gospel writers in the New Testament. The name Mark is also associated with qualities such as courage, strength, and leadership.