New york's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of New York witnessed a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. For baby girls, the top names were Barbara, Patricia, and Mary. These names were chosen by parents across the state, reflecting their preference for classic and timeless names that have stood the test of time.

Similarly, for baby boys, the top names were Robert, John, and Richard. These names were also popular among parents, indicating a preference for traditional and strong-sounding names. Overall, the top baby names in New York in 1940 reflect a desire for names that are both classic and enduring.

Most popular baby girl names in New york in 1940

In 1940, the most popular baby girl names in New York were Barbara, Patricia, Mary, Carol, and Joan. Barbara was the most popular name with 3917 babies being given that name, followed closely by Patricia with 3730 babies. Mary was the third most popular name with 3664 babies, while Carol and Joan were fourth and fifth with 2584 and 2224 babies respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and trends of the time, as well as traditional family names.

Barbara

3917 baby girls born in New york (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

3730 baby girls born in New york (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

3664 baby girls born in New york (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.
Carol

2584 baby girls born in New york (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".
Joan

2224 baby girls born in New york (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.
Judith
2038 baby girls born in New york (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Margaret
1611 baby girls born in New york (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Linda
1464 baby girls born in New york (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."
Nancy
1418 baby girls born in New york (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Sandra
1250 baby girls born in New york (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.
Elizabeth
1212 baby girls born in New york (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.
Joyce
1126 baby girls born in New york (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
1119 baby girls born in New york (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Ann
1107 baby girls born in New york (1940) named Ann
The name Ann is a variant of the name Anne, which is derived from the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning "grace" or "favor". The name has been popular throughout history and is often associated with strong and independent women.
Susan
1086 baby girls born in New york (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.
Marie
994 baby girls born in New york (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.
Marilyn
954 baby girls born in New york (1940) named Marilyn
The name Marilyn is a combination of the names Mary and Lynn. The name Mary means "bitter" or "rebellious" in Hebrew, while Lynn means "lake" or "waterfall" in English. Therefore, the name Marilyn could be interpreted as "bitter lake" or "rebellious waterfall".
Helen
908 baby girls born in New york (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.
Jean
870 baby girls born in New york (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.
Kathleen
841 baby girls born in New york (1940) named Kathleen
The name Kathleen is of Irish origin and means "pure" or "clear". It is a variant of the name Katherine.

Most popular baby boy names in New york in 1940

In New York in 1940, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, John, Richard, William, and James. Robert was the most popular name with 6283 babies given that name, followed closely by John with 6165 babies. Richard, William, and James rounded out the top five with 4371, 4106, and 3960 babies given those names, respectively. These names were likely influenced by popular cultural figures and historical events of the time.

Robert

6283 baby boys born in New york (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

6165 baby boys born in New york (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.
Richard

4371 baby boys born in New york (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
William

4106 baby boys born in New york (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.
James

3960 baby boys born in New york (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Joseph
3141 baby boys born in New york (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Thomas
2505 baby boys born in New york (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.
David
2340 baby boys born in New york (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
2293 baby boys born in New york (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.
Charles
2148 baby boys born in New york (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.
Edward
1985 baby boys born in New york (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".
George
1852 baby boys born in New york (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.
Ronald
1731 baby boys born in New york (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
1727 baby boys born in New york (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Frank
1537 baby boys born in New york (1940) named Frank
The name Frank is of Germanic origin and means "free man" or "truthful man".
Paul
1451 baby boys born in New york (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.
Peter
1404 baby boys born in New york (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.
Anthony
1348 baby boys born in New york (1940) named Anthony
The name Anthony is of Latin origin and means "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy".
Kenneth
1086 baby boys born in New york (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Raymond
923 baby boys born in New york (1940) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".