New jersey's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of New Jersey saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Barbara, Patricia, and Mary. These names held a special place in the hearts of parents, likely due to their timeless and classic nature. Barbara, in particular, was a popular name among parents in the state, possibly because of its association with the famous actress Barbara Stanwyck.

For baby boys, the top names in New Jersey were Robert, John, and William. These names were also popular across the United States, with parents choosing them for their strong and traditional sound. Robert, in particular, was a popular choice among parents in the state, possibly because of its association with the famous actor Robert Taylor.

Overall, the baby names that were popular in New Jersey in 1940 reflect a desire for classic and timeless names that have stood the test of time. These names continue to be popular today, demonstrating their lasting appeal and enduring popularity.

Most popular baby girl names in New jersey in 1940

Based on the data from 1940, the top 5 most popular baby girl names in New Jersey were Barbara, Patricia, Mary, Joan, and Carol. Barbara was the most popular name with 1391 babies given that name, followed by Patricia with 1178 babies. Mary, Joan, and Carol were also popular names with 1013, 795, and 769 babies given those names, respectively.

Barbara

1391 baby girls born in New jersey (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.
Patricia

1178 baby girls born in New jersey (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.
Mary

1013 baby girls born in New jersey (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.
Joan

795 baby girls born in New jersey (1940) named Joan
The name Joan is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a feminine name that was popularized in the Middle Ages and has been in use ever since. The name is often associated with strong and independent women, such as Joan of Arc.
Carol

769 baby girls born in New jersey (1940) 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".
Judith
692 baby girls born in New jersey (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Margaret
485 baby girls born in New jersey (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Joyce
439 baby girls born in New jersey (1940) 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.
Dorothy
430 baby girls born in New jersey (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Nancy
420 baby girls born in New jersey (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Elizabeth
413 baby girls born in New jersey (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.
Marie
336 baby girls born in New jersey (1940) named Marie
The name Marie is the French variant of Mary, which means "bitter" in Hebrew. It is a popular name among Christians and has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with purity, grace, and elegance.
Jean
313 baby girls born in New jersey (1940) named Jean
The name Jean is a variant of the name John, which means "God is gracious" in Hebrew. It is a gender-neutral name that has been used for both boys and girls.
Janet
281 baby girls born in New jersey (1940) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Linda
280 baby girls born in New jersey (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."
Sandra
271 baby girls born in New jersey (1940) 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.
Ruth
267 baby girls born in New jersey (1940) named Ruth
The name Ruth means "friend" or "companion" in Hebrew. It is also associated with the character Ruth in the Bible, who was known for her loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi.
Susan
264 baby girls born in New jersey (1940) 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.
Frances
264 baby girls born in New jersey (1940) named Frances
Frances is a name of Latin origin meaning "free man" or "from France".
Helen
263 baby girls born in New jersey (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.

Most popular baby boy names in New jersey in 1940

In 1940, the most popular baby boy names in New Jersey were Robert, John, William, Richard, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 2168 babies being given that name, followed closely by John with 2090 babies. William, Richard, and James rounded out the top five with 1469, 1257, and 1134 babies given those names, respectively. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be popular choices for parents today.

Robert

2168 baby boys born in New jersey (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

2090 baby boys born in New jersey (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.
William

1469 baby boys born in New jersey (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.
Richard

1257 baby boys born in New jersey (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
James

1134 baby boys born in New jersey (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Joseph
1106 baby boys born in New jersey (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
845 baby boys born in New jersey (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.
Charles
765 baby boys born in New jersey (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.
George
681 baby boys born in New jersey (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.
Edward
671 baby boys born in New jersey (1940) 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".
Frank
574 baby boys born in New jersey (1940) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
David
546 baby boys born in New jersey (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.
Michael
532 baby boys born in New jersey (1940) 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.
Ronald
503 baby boys born in New jersey (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
490 baby boys born in New jersey (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Anthony
408 baby boys born in New jersey (1940) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Peter
360 baby boys born in New jersey (1940) named Peter
The name Peter is derived from the Greek name Petros, meaning "rock" or "stone". It is a common name in many cultures and languages, and is often associated with qualities such as strength, stability, and steadfastness.
Paul
357 baby boys born in New jersey (1940) 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.
Raymond
334 baby boys born in New jersey (1940) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".
Kenneth
317 baby boys born in New jersey (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".