Missouri's most popular baby names in 1948

Missouri, in 1948, was a state that saw a lot of traditional names being given to newborns. The top baby girl names were Linda, Mary, and Barbara, while the top baby boy names were James, John, and Robert. These names were popular not just in Missouri but across the United States during that time.

Linda, meaning "pretty one" in Spanish, was the most popular name for baby girls in Missouri in 1948. Mary, a classic name meaning "bitter" or "beloved," was a close second. Barbara, meaning "stranger" or "foreigner," was also a popular choice. For baby boys, James, John, and Robert were the most commonly given names. James, meaning "supplanter," was the most popular of the three. John, meaning "God is gracious," and Robert, meaning "bright fame," were also popular choices for parents in Missouri.

Most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1948

In Missouri, 1948, Linda was the most popular baby girl name with 2763 babies being named Linda. Mary came in second with 1934 babies named Mary, followed by Barbara with 1207 babies, Patricia with 1122 babies, and Sharon with 1070 babies. These were the top 5 most popular baby girl names in Missouri in 1948.

Linda

2763 baby girls born in Missouri (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."
Mary

1934 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Barbara

1207 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Patricia

1122 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Sharon

1070 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Carol
847 baby girls born in Missouri (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".
Donna
783 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Sandra
774 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Susan
716 baby girls born in Missouri (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.
Nancy
712 baby girls born in Missouri (1948) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Karen
626 baby girls born in Missouri (1948) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Carolyn
614 baby girls born in Missouri (1948) 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.
Judy
550 baby girls born in Missouri (1948) named Judy
Joyce
521 baby girls born in Missouri (1948) 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.
Judith
512 baby girls born in Missouri (1948) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Brenda
511 baby girls born in Missouri (1948) named Brenda
The name Brenda is of Old Norse origin and means "sword" or "torch". It was popularized in the 20th century as a given name, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.
Janet
505 baby girls born in Missouri (1948) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Janice
487 baby girls born in Missouri (1948) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Kathleen
478 baby girls born in Missouri (1948) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.
Pamela
451 baby girls born in Missouri (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 Missouri in 1948

According to records from 1948, the most popular baby boy names in Missouri were James, John, Robert, Michael, and William. James was the most popular name, with 2231 babies given that name. John came in second with 1959 babies, followed by Robert with 1883 babies. Michael was the fourth most popular name with 1609 babies, and William rounded out the top five with 1450 babies given that name.

James

2231 baby boys born in Missouri (1948) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

1959 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Robert

1883 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Michael

1609 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
William

1450 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
David
1430 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Larry
1325 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Richard
1163 baby boys born in Missouri (1948) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
Gary
1116 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Charles
1094 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Ronald
1003 baby boys born in Missouri (1948) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Thomas
944 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Donald
779 baby boys born in Missouri (1948) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Dennis
732 baby boys born in Missouri (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.
Kenneth
683 baby boys born in Missouri (1948) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jerry
609 baby boys born in Missouri (1948) 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.
Terry
523 baby boys born in Missouri (1948) named Terry
The name Terry is a unisex name of English origin, derived from the name Terence. The meaning of the name Terry is "smooth, tender".
Stephen
521 baby boys born in Missouri (1948) named Stephen
The name Stephen means "crown" or "garland" in Greek. It is derived from the Greek name Stephanos, which was a common name among early Christians due to its association with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Joseph
479 baby boys born in Missouri (1948) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
George
434 baby boys born in Missouri (1948) 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.