Minnesota's most popular baby names in 1942

In the year 1942, the state of Minnesota saw a surge in popular baby names. For baby girls, Mary held the top spot, followed closely by Sharon and Carol. These classic names continue to be popular choices for parents today, with their timeless appeal and simple elegance.

For baby boys, James, Robert, and John were the most popular names in Minnesota in 1942. These strong and traditional names have stood the test of time, remaining popular choices for parents even today. Whether you're looking for a classic name with a rich history or a trendy name with a modern edge, the top baby names of 1942 in Minnesota provide a wealth of inspiration for parents-to-be.

Most popular baby girl names in Minnesota in 1942

In Minnesota in 1942, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 1293 babies being given that name. The next four most popular names were Sharon (921), Carol (916), Karen (905), and Judith (872). These names were very popular during this time period and continue to be used today, although they may not be as common as they were in 1942.

Mary

1293 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Sharon

921 baby girls born in Minnesota (1942) named Sharon
The name Sharon means "a plain or flat area" in Hebrew. It is also a biblical name, referring to a fertile plain near the coast of Israel.
Carol

916 baby girls born in Minnesota (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".
Karen

905 baby girls born in Minnesota (1942) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Judith

872 baby girls born in Minnesota (1942) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Barbara
817 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Patricia
783 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Sandra
714 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Kathleen
599 baby girls born in Minnesota (1942) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Judy
463 baby girls born in Minnesota (1942) named Judy
Nancy
438 baby girls born in Minnesota (1942) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Diane
427 baby girls born in Minnesota (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".
Janet
425 baby girls born in Minnesota (1942) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Janice
425 baby girls born in Minnesota (1942) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Joyce
344 baby girls born in Minnesota (1942) 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.
Susan
339 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Joan
324 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.
Shirley
316 baby girls born in Minnesota (1942) named Shirley
The name Shirley is of English origin and its meaning is "bright meadow" or "bright clearing". It was originally a surname that became a popular given name in the 19th century.
Darlene
301 baby girls born in Minnesota (1942) named Darlene
The name Darlene means "darling" or "beloved" and is of English origin. It was first used as a given name in the early 20th century in the United States.
Margaret
294 baby girls born in Minnesota (1942) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

Most popular baby boy names in Minnesota in 1942

In 1942, the most popular baby boy names in Minnesota were James, Robert, John, Richard, and David. James was the most popular name with 1511 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 1395 babies named Robert. John, Richard, and David were also popular names with 1259, 1252, and 1210 babies given those names respectively.

James

1511 baby boys born in Minnesota (1942) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1395 baby boys born in Minnesota (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

1259 baby boys born in Minnesota (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

1252 baby boys born in Minnesota (1942) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David

1210 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Thomas
802 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Gary
728 baby boys born in Minnesota (1942) named Gary
The name Gary is of English origin and means "spear rule" or "spear carrier". It was originally a surname but became popular as a given name in the 20th century. People with this name are believed to be independent, practical, and analytical.
Dennis
722 baby boys born in Minnesota (1942) 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.
William
699 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Donald
628 baby boys born in Minnesota (1942) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Ronald
620 baby boys born in Minnesota (1942) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Michael
598 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Gerald
527 baby boys born in Minnesota (1942) named Gerald
The name Gerald means "ruler with a spear" or "rule of the spear". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobles.
Roger
506 baby boys born in Minnesota (1942) named Roger
The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".
Larry
504 baby boys born in Minnesota (1942) named Larry
The name Larry is a shortened form of the name Lawrence, which comes from the Latin name Laurentius meaning "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel". The name was popularized in the Middle Ages due to the fame of St. Lawrence, a Christian martyr who was roasted alive on a gridiron. The name Larry has been used as a given name since the 19th century and has been a popular name in the United States.
Charles
455 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.
Kenneth
431 baby boys born in Minnesota (1942) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Douglas
339 baby boys born in Minnesota (1942) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".
Bruce
332 baby boys born in Minnesota (1942) named Bruce
The name Bruce is of Scottish origin and means "from the brushwood thicket".
Paul
311 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.