Minnesota's most popular baby names in 1948

In the year 1948, Minnesota saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Linda, Mary, and Barbara. Linda, a name of Spanish origin meaning "pretty" or "beautiful," was the most popular name for baby girls in Minnesota that year. Mary, a classic name with Biblical origins, came in a close second, followed by Barbara, a name with Greek roots meaning "foreign" or "strange."

For baby boys, the top names in Minnesota in 1948 were James, David, and John. James, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter," was the most popular name for baby boys that year. David, a name with Hebrew roots meaning "beloved," came in second, followed by John, a classic name with Biblical origins meaning "God is gracious." These names continue to be popular choices for parents in Minnesota and across the United States.

Most popular baby girl names in Minnesota in 1948

In Minnesota in 1948, the most popular baby girl name was Linda, with 2144 newborns given that name. The second most popular name was Mary, with 1768 babies receiving it. Barbara ranked third with 1087 babies named that, followed closely by Susan with 1072 babies. Patricia rounded out the top five with 955 babies given that name.

  1. Linda

    2144 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) 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."

  2. Mary

    1768 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) 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.

  3. Barbara

    1087 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) 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.

  4. Susan

    1072 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) 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.

  5. Patricia

    955 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) 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.

  6. Kathleen

    894 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) named Kathleen

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

  7. Sandra

    799 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) 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.

  8. Nancy

    797 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) named Nancy

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

  9. Carol

    791 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) 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".

  10. Sharon

    672 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) 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.

  11. Karen

    633 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) named Karen

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

  12. Diane

    626 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) 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. Judith

    512 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) named Judith

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

  14. Cheryl

    417 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) 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.

  15. Margaret

    375 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) named Margaret

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

  16. Judy

    371 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) named Judy

  17. Donna

    355 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) 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.

  18. Janet

    355 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) named Janet

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

  19. Bonnie

    336 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) 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. Pamela

    328 baby girls born in Minnesota (1948) named Pamela

    The name Pamela is of Greek origin and means "all sweetness" or "honeyed". It was first popularized by Sir Philip Sidney in his pastoral romance "Arcadia" (1590) and later by Samuel Richardson in his novel "Pamela" (1740).

Most popular baby boy names in Minnesota in 1948

In Minnesota, 1948, the top 5 most popular baby boy names were James, David, John, Robert, and Michael. James was the most popular name with 1659 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 1531 babies. John, Robert, and Michael rounded out the top 5 with 1519, 1494, and 1411 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely chosen for their classic and timeless appeal, as well as their popularity at the time.

  1. James

    1659 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) named James

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

  2. David

    1531 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) 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.

  3. John

    1519 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) 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. Robert

    1494 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) 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.

  5. Michael

    1411 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) 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.

  6. Richard

    1389 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) named Richard

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

  7. Thomas

    1251 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) 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

    1016 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) 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

    791 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) 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. Steven

    773 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) named Steven

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

  11. Ronald

    748 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) named Ronald

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

  12. Dennis

    670 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) 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.

  13. Larry

    659 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) 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. Donald

    616 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) named Donald

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

  15. Charles

    544 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) 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.

  16. Daniel

    506 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  17. Bruce

    501 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) named Bruce

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

  18. Roger

    490 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) 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".

  19. Mark

    464 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) 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.

  20. Kenneth

    448 baby boys born in Minnesota (1948) named Kenneth

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