Minnesota's most popular baby names in 1946

In the year 1946, the state of Minnesota witnessed a surge in the popularity of some classic baby names. Mary, Barbara, and Patricia were the top choices for baby girls, while James, Robert, and John were the most popular names for baby boys. These names have stood the test of time and continue to be beloved by parents and children alike.

Mary, a timeless name of Hebrew origin meaning "bitter", has been a favorite among parents for centuries. Barbara, a name of Greek origin meaning "foreign woman", was also a popular choice for baby girls in Minnesota in 1946. Patricia, a Latin name meaning "noble", rounded out the top three. For baby boys, James, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter", was the most popular choice, followed by Robert, a Germanic name meaning "bright fame", and John, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious". These classic names continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Most popular baby girl names in Minnesota in 1946

Based on the data from 1946, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Minnesota with 1693 babies given that name. Barbara came in second with 940 babies named Barbara, followed by Patricia with 897 babies. Carol was the fourth most popular name with 881 babies named Carol, and Sharon was the fifth most popular name with 844 babies named Sharon.

  1. Mary

    1693 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  2. Barbara

    940 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  3. Patricia

    897 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  4. Carol

    881 baby girls born in Minnesota (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".

  5. Sharon

    844 baby girls born in Minnesota (1946) 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.

  6. Kathleen

    833 baby girls born in Minnesota (1946) named Kathleen

    The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.

  7. Susan

    809 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  8. Sandra

    807 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  9. Linda

    770 baby girls born in Minnesota (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."

  10. Judith

    754 baby girls born in Minnesota (1946) named Judith

    The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".

  11. Nancy

    691 baby girls born in Minnesota (1946) named Nancy

    The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".

  12. Diane

    656 baby girls born in Minnesota (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".

  13. Karen

    623 baby girls born in Minnesota (1946) named Karen

    Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".

  14. Judy

    570 baby girls born in Minnesota (1946) named Judy

  15. Janet

    383 baby girls born in Minnesota (1946) named Janet

    The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".

  16. Cheryl

    376 baby girls born in Minnesota (1946) 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.

  17. Margaret

    369 baby girls born in Minnesota (1946) named Margaret

    The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".

  18. Janice

    366 baby girls born in Minnesota (1946) named Janice

    The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".

  19. Bonnie

    338 baby girls born in Minnesota (1946) named Bonnie

    The name Bonnie means "pretty" or "good" and is of Scottish origin. It is often used as a nickname for someone who is attractive or pleasant.

  20. Donna

    334 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Minnesota in 1946

In Minnesota, 1946, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, John, Richard, and David. James was the most popular name with 1713 babies given this name. Robert and John followed closely with 1588 and 1501 babies respectively. Richard and David were also popular choices, with 1497 and 1325 babies given these names. These names reflect the traditional and timeless nature of popular baby boy names during this time period.

  1. James

    1713 baby boys born in Minnesota (1946) named James

    The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".

  2. Robert

    1588 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  3. John

    1501 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  4. Richard

    1497 baby boys born in Minnesota (1946) named Richard

    The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".

  5. David

    1325 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  6. Michael

    1128 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  7. Thomas

    1080 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  8. Gary

    991 baby boys born in Minnesota (1946) 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.

  9. William

    819 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  10. Dennis

    819 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  11. Ronald

    699 baby boys born in Minnesota (1946) named Ronald

    The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.

  12. Donald

    580 baby boys born in Minnesota (1946) named Donald

    Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".

  13. Larry

    563 baby boys born in Minnesota (1946) 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.

  14. Charles

    528 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  15. Roger

    518 baby boys born in Minnesota (1946) 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".

  16. Kenneth

    478 baby boys born in Minnesota (1946) named Kenneth

    The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".

  17. Bruce

    424 baby boys born in Minnesota (1946) named Bruce

    The name Bruce is of Scottish origin and means "from the brushwood thicket".

  18. Steven

    413 baby boys born in Minnesota (1946) named Steven

    The name Steven is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a variation of the name Stephen.

  19. Paul

    403 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  20. Gerald

    381 baby boys born in Minnesota (1946) 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.