Missouri's most popular baby names in 1941

In the year 1941, the state of Missouri saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Barbara, and Patricia were the top three names given to baby girls, while James, Robert, and John were the most popular names for baby boys. These names were not only fashionable but also carried significant meaning and cultural significance.

Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew, has been a popular name for centuries and continues to be a timeless classic. Barbara, which means "strange" or "foreign," was a popular name during the 1940s and has since become less common. Patricia, which means "noble" or "patrician," was a fashionable name in the 1940s and 1950s, but has since declined in popularity. James, Robert, and John, on the other hand, have always been popular names for boys and continue to be so today. These names have biblical origins and have been used for centuries, making them a traditional choice for parents.

Most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1941

According to the data from 1941, Mary was the most popular baby girl name in Missouri with a total of 1743 babies being named Mary. The next four popular names were Barbara (1156), Patricia (920), Judith (765), and Carol (764). These names were all very common during that time period and were likely influenced by popular cultural figures or trends.

Mary

1743 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) 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.
Barbara

1156 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) 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.
Patricia

920 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) 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

765 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Carol

764 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) 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".
Linda
679 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) 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."
Shirley
679 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) 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.
Betty
676 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Carolyn
608 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) 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.
Joyce
552 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) named Joyce
The name Joyce is of Old French origin, derived from the name Josse, which means "lord" or "master". It was originally a masculine name but became popular as a feminine name in the 20th century. The name Joyce is often associated with qualities such as intelligence, creativity, and independence.
Nancy
535 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sharon
534 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) 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.
Judy
530 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) named Judy
Sandra
496 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) 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.
Donna
466 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) 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.
Dorothy
395 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Margaret
365 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Janet
346 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Virginia
326 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) named Virginia
The name Virginia is derived from the Latin word "Virgo" which means "maiden" or "virgin". It was a popular name in ancient Rome and was often given to girls who were born in the month of August. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century and is associated with purity, innocence, and virtue.
Janice
316 baby girls born in Missouri (1941) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".

Most popular baby boy names in Missouri in 1941

According to data from Missouri in 1941, James was the most popular name for baby boys with 1858 occurrences. Robert followed closely behind with 1597 occurrences, and John came in third with 1424 occurrences. William and Charles were also popular names, with 1187 and 1091 occurrences respectively. These names were the top five most commonly given to baby boys in Missouri during that year.

James

1858 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert

1597 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) 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

1424 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) 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.
William

1187 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) 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.
Charles

1091 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) 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.
Larry
1056 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) 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.
Richard
937 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Donald
866 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Jerry
834 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) 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.
Ronald
779 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
David
756 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) 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
584 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) 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
529 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) 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.
Kenneth
515 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
George
419 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) 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.
Paul
366 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) 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.
Joseph
361 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Michael
340 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) 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.
Edward
310 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) named Edward
The name Edward means "wealthy guardian" or "rich guard" and is of Old English origin. It is derived from the words "ead" meaning "wealth, fortune" and "weard" meaning "guardian, protector".
Harold
306 baby boys born in Missouri (1941) named Harold
The name Harold is of Old English origin and means "ruler of the army". It was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons and was borne by several kings of England.