Minnesota's most popular baby names in 1945

In the year 1945, the state of Minnesota saw a surge in the popularity of traditional baby names for both boys and girls. Topping the charts for baby girl names were Mary, Carol, and Barbara, while James, Robert, and Richard were the most popular names for baby boys.

Mary has been a popular name for baby girls for centuries and it's no surprise that it held the top spot in Minnesota in 1945. Carol and Barbara were also popular choices, both of which have a timeless quality to them. For baby boys, James, Robert, and Richard were the names of choice, all of which have a strong and classic sound that has stood the test of time. These names continue to be popular even today, proving that some names never go out of style.

Most popular baby girl names in Minnesota in 1945

In Minnesota in 1945, the most popular baby girl name was Mary, with 1348 babies given that name. The next four most popular names were Carol (750), Barbara (737), Kathleen (697), and Sharon (692). These five names were the most common choices for parents of baby girls in Minnesota during that year.

Mary

1348 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Carol

750 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) 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".
Barbara

737 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Kathleen

697 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Sharon

692 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Sandra
656 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Patricia
621 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Judith
617 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Karen
608 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Susan
581 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Linda
536 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) 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."
Diane
533 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) 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".
Nancy
484 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Judy
473 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) named Judy
Janet
357 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Janice
319 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Joan
288 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Cheryl
268 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) named Cheryl
The name Cheryl is of English origin and its meaning is uncertain. It is believed to have been derived from the French name Cherie, which means "darling" or "beloved". However, some sources suggest that it may have originated from the Welsh name Ceinlys, which means "beautiful". The name Cheryl was most popular in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s.
Margaret
267 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Donna
265 baby girls born in Minnesota (1945) 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.

Most popular baby boy names in Minnesota in 1945

In 1945, the most popular baby boy names in Minnesota were James, Robert, Richard, John, and David. James was the most popular name with 1375 babies given that name, followed closely by Robert with 1281 babies. Richard, John, and David rounded out the top five with 1242, 1187, and 1091 babies given those names, respectively.

James

1375 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1281 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Richard

1242 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

1187 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
David

1091 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Gary
874 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Thomas
787 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) 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
735 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Dennis
636 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) 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
595 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Ronald
582 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
574 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Larry
533 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Kenneth
433 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Charles
408 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Roger
396 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) 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".
Gerald
350 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Paul
337 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) 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.
Daniel
285 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
Douglas
261 baby boys born in Minnesota (1945) named Douglas
The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".