Mississippi's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Mississippi saw a surge in baby names that were both traditional and popular. Among the top baby girl names were Mary, Betty, and Dorothy. Mary, a name that has been popular for centuries, remained the most popular choice for baby girls in Mississippi. Betty and Dorothy, two names that were also popular during that era, were close behind.

For baby boys, the top names in Mississippi in 1940 were James, Robert, and John. These names were also popular throughout the country during that time, with James being the most popular name for baby boys in the United States. Robert and John, both classic names with strong historical roots, were also popular choices for parents in Mississippi. Overall, the baby names of 1940 in Mississippi reflected a desire for traditional, timeless names that have stood the test of time.

Most popular baby girl names in Mississippi in 1940

According to historical records, the most popular baby girl names in Mississippi in the year 1940 were Mary, Betty, Dorothy, Annie, and Barbara. Mary was by far the most popular name, with 1,557 babies given that name. Betty came in second with 631 babies, followed closely by Dorothy with 605 babies. Annie and Barbara rounded out the top five with 492 and 456 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and social trends of the time, but they also reflect traditional and timeless names that have remained popular throughout history.

Mary

1557 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) 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.
Betty

631 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Dorothy

605 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Annie

492 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) named Annie
The name Annie is a diminutive form of the name Ann or Anna. It is of Hebrew origin and means "gracious" or "full of grace".
Barbara

456 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) 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.
Shirley
392 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) 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.
Martha
360 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) named Martha
The name Martha means "lady" or "mistress" and is of Aramaic origin. It is a biblical name, borne by the sister of Lazarus in the New Testament.
Willie
270 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
Ruby
238 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) named Ruby
The name Ruby is derived from the Latin word "ruber," which means "red." It is a gemstone name and is associated with love, passion, and energy. Ruby is also believed to bring good fortune and success to those who wear it.
Linda
236 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) 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."
Peggy
236 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) named Peggy
The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which means "pearl" or "precious".
Patricia
235 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) 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.
Helen
230 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) named Helen
Helen is a name of Greek origin and means "bright, shining one" or "torchbearer". It is also sometimes associated with the meaning "sunray" or "ray of light". The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Doris
220 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) named Doris
The name Doris means "gift of the ocean" or "from the sea" in Greek. It was also the name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology.
Rosie
210 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) named Rosie
Emma
201 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) named Emma
The name Emma is of German origin and means "universal" or "whole". It is a popular name in many countries and has been used since medieval times. The name has been associated with strength, beauty, and intelligence.
Carolyn
201 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) named Carolyn
The name Carolyn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a variant of Caroline, which is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "free man" or "strong". The name Carolyn has been in use since the 19th century and has been a popular name for girls in the United States.
Margaret
198 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Gloria
194 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.
Elizabeth
191 baby girls born in Mississippi (1940) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.

Most popular baby boy names in Mississippi in 1940

In Mississippi, 1940, the most popular baby boy names were James, Robert, John, Charles, and Willie. James was the most popular name with 1780 babies given this name. Robert followed closely with 1027 babies given this name. John, Charles, and Willie were also popular names with 916, 853, and 823 babies given these names, respectively. These names reflect the traditional and classic naming trends of the time, with many parents choosing names that have been popular for generations.

James

1780 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1027 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) 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

916 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) 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.
Charles

853 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) 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.
Willie

823 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) named Willie
The name Willie is a diminutive form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "willful protector".
William
806 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) 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.
George
417 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) named George
The name George means "farmer" or "earthworker" and is of Greek origin. It was a popular name among early Christians, as Saint George is the patron saint of England and a martyr in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches. The name has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England.
Billy
401 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) named Billy
The name Billy is a diminutive form of the name William, which is of Old German origin and means "resolute protection".
Thomas
390 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) 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.
Bobby
387 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) named Bobby
The name Bobby is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance".
Joe
385 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) named Joe
The name Joe is a shortened form of the name Joseph. Its meaning is "God will increase" or "He will add".
Henry
333 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) named Henry
The name Henry means "ruler of the household" or "estate ruler". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name for centuries.
Jerry
306 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) named Jerry
The name Jerry is a diminutive form of the name Gerald or Gerard, which means "ruler with a spear" or "brave with a spear" respectively. It is of Old German origin.
Walter
263 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) named Walter
Walter is a Germanic name that means "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior".
David
261 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) 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.
Jimmy
229 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) named Jimmy
The name Jimmy is a diminutive form of the name James, which means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Eddie
225 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) named Eddie
The name Eddie is a diminutive form of the name Edward, which means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard".
Richard
213 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Jimmie
211 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) named Jimmie
Frank
207 baby boys born in Mississippi (1940) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".