Minnesota's most popular baby names in 1949

In the year 1949, the state of Minnesota saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Among baby girls, Linda emerged as the most popular name, followed closely by Mary and Susan. The name Linda, which means "pretty" or "beautiful" in Spanish, was a favorite among parents who wanted to give their daughters a name that exuded charm and grace.

For baby boys, James was the most popular name, followed by David and Michael. James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows," was a name that had been popular for centuries and continued to be a favorite among parents in the mid-twentieth century. David, which means "beloved," and Michael, which means "who is like God," were also popular choices for parents who wanted to give their sons strong and meaningful names. Overall, these names reflected the cultural and social trends of the time and continue to be beloved names to this day.

Most popular baby girl names in Minnesota in 1949

According to records from 1949, the most popular baby girl name in Minnesota was Linda, with 2119 babies given that name. Mary came in second place with 1639 babies, followed by Susan with 1216 babies. Kathleen and Barbara rounded out the top five with 1015 and 1000 babies given those names, respectively.

  1. Linda

    2119 baby girls born in Minnesota (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."

  2. Mary

    1639 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  3. Susan

    1216 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  4. Kathleen

    1015 baby girls born in Minnesota (1949) named Kathleen

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

  5. Barbara

    1000 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  6. Patricia

    989 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  7. Nancy

    775 baby girls born in Minnesota (1949) named Nancy

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

  8. Carol

    745 baby girls born in Minnesota (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".

  9. Sandra

    741 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

  10. Diane

    666 baby girls born in Minnesota (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".

  11. Sharon

    572 baby girls born in Minnesota (1949) 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.

  12. Judith

    560 baby girls born in Minnesota (1949) named Judith

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

  13. Karen

    558 baby girls born in Minnesota (1949) named Karen

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

  14. Cheryl

    421 baby girls born in Minnesota (1949) 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

    400 baby girls born in Minnesota (1949) named Margaret

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

  16. Pamela

    360 baby girls born in Minnesota (1949) 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).

  17. Janet

    358 baby girls born in Minnesota (1949) named Janet

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

  18. Janice

    350 baby girls born in Minnesota (1949) named Janice

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

  19. Judy

    325 baby girls born in Minnesota (1949) named Judy

  20. Donna

    320 baby girls born in Minnesota (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.

Most popular baby boy names in Minnesota in 1949

According to the records of 1949, the most popular baby boy names in Minnesota were James, David, Michael, John, and Robert. James was the most popular name with 1685 babies given that name, followed closely by David with 1648 babies. Michael, John, and Robert were also popular names with 1552, 1533, and 1533 babies respectively given those names.

  1. James

    1685 baby boys born in Minnesota (1949) named James

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

  2. David

    1648 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  3. Michael

    1552 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  4. John

    1533 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  5. Robert

    1533 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  6. Thomas

    1400 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  7. Richard

    1222 baby boys born in Minnesota (1949) named Richard

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

  8. Steven

    982 baby boys born in Minnesota (1949) named Steven

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

  9. Gary

    933 baby boys born in Minnesota (1949) 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.

  10. William

    823 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  11. Dennis

    701 baby boys born in Minnesota (1949) 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.

  12. Ronald

    696 baby boys born in Minnesota (1949) named Ronald

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

  13. Charles

    622 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  14. Larry

    620 baby boys born in Minnesota (1949) 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.

  15. Mark

    600 baby boys born in Minnesota (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.

  16. Bruce

    588 baby boys born in Minnesota (1949) named Bruce

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

  17. Donald

    588 baby boys born in Minnesota (1949) named Donald

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

  18. Daniel

    551 baby boys born in Minnesota (1949) named Daniel

    The name Daniel means "God is my judge".

  19. Gregory

    477 baby boys born in Minnesota (1949) named Gregory

    The name Gregory is of Greek origin and means "vigilant, watchful".

  20. Douglas

    476 baby boys born in Minnesota (1949) named Douglas

    The name Douglas is of Scottish origin and means "dark water" or "dark stream".