North dakota's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of North Dakota saw a surge in popularity for traditional names. For baby girls, Mary remained the top choice, followed by Sharon and Carol. Mary has been a popular name for centuries and continues to be a popular choice for parents who prefer classic and timeless names. Sharon and Carol were popular names during the mid-20th century and were often associated with Hollywood actresses.

For baby boys, Robert, James, and Richard were the top choices in North Dakota. These names have been popular for decades and have remained popular even today. Robert has been a favorite name for parents who prefer classic and strong names, while James is a timeless name that has been popular for centuries. Richard is also a classic name that has been a popular choice for parents who want a name that is both traditional and strong.

Overall, the baby names that were popular in North Dakota in 1940 reflect a preference for traditional and timeless names that have stood the test of time. These names continue to be popular even today and are a testament to the enduring appeal of classic baby names.

Most popular baby girl names in North dakota in 1940

In North Dakota, 1940, Mary was the most popular baby girl name with 230 occurrences. Following Mary, the next four most popular names were Sharon (209), Carol (148), Janice (148), and Patricia (134).

Mary

230 baby girls born in North dakota (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.
Sharon

209 baby girls born in North dakota (1940) 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

148 baby girls born in North dakota (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".
Janice

148 baby girls born in North dakota (1940) named Janice
The name Janice is of English origin and is a variant of the name Jane, which means "God is gracious".
Patricia

134 baby girls born in North dakota (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.
Shirley
124 baby girls born in North dakota (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.
Karen
107 baby girls born in North dakota (1940) named Karen
Karen is a Danish name that means "pure" or "clear".
Judith
100 baby girls born in North dakota (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Sandra
95 baby girls born in North dakota (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.
Betty
92 baby girls born in North dakota (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Darlene
83 baby girls born in North dakota (1940) named Darlene
The name Darlene means "darling" or "beloved" and is of English origin. It was first used as a given name in the early 20th century in the United States.
Dorothy
81 baby girls born in North dakota (1940) named Dorothy
The name Dorothy is of Greek origin and means "gift of God".
Donna
81 baby girls born in North dakota (1940) 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.
Barbara
81 baby girls born in North dakota (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.
Beverly
77 baby girls born in North dakota (1940) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".
Margaret
75 baby girls born in North dakota (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Judy
71 baby girls born in North dakota (1940) named Judy
Joyce
70 baby girls born in North dakota (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.
Linda
65 baby girls born in North dakota (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."
Gloria
65 baby girls born in North dakota (1940) named Gloria
The name Gloria means "glory" or "fame" in Latin.

Most popular baby boy names in North dakota in 1940

In 1940, the most popular baby boy names in North Dakota were Robert, James, Richard, John, and Gary. Robert was the most popular name with 242 babies given that name, followed closely by James with 223 babies. Richard and John were also popular choices with 213 and 196 babies respectively. Gary rounded out the top five with 190 babies given that name. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

Robert

242 baby boys born in North dakota (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.
James

223 baby boys born in North dakota (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Richard

213 baby boys born in North dakota (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
John

196 baby boys born in North dakota (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.
Gary

190 baby boys born in North dakota (1940) 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.
David
186 baby boys born in North dakota (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.
Donald
184 baby boys born in North dakota (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Dennis
166 baby boys born in North dakota (1940) 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.
Larry
152 baby boys born in North dakota (1940) 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.
Kenneth
133 baby boys born in North dakota (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Gerald
127 baby boys born in North dakota (1940) named Gerald
The name Gerald means "ruler with a spear" or "rule of the spear". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobles.
William
125 baby boys born in North dakota (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.
Ronald
124 baby boys born in North dakota (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Roger
92 baby boys born in North dakota (1940) named Roger
The name Roger means "famous spearman" or "renowned warrior". It is of Old German origin, derived from the words "hrod" meaning "fame" and "ger" meaning "spear".
Charles
91 baby boys born in North dakota (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.
Jerry
78 baby boys born in North dakota (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.
Paul
72 baby boys born in North dakota (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.
Dale
69 baby boys born in North dakota (1940) named Dale
The name Dale means valley or dale, which is a piece of land between hills or mountains. It is of Old English origin and is often used as a masculine given name.
Wayne
64 baby boys born in North dakota (1940) named Wayne
The name Wayne means "wagon maker" or "wagon driver". It has Old English origins and was originally a surname before becoming a first name.
Raymond
63 baby boys born in North dakota (1940) named Raymond
The name Raymond is of Germanic origin and means "wise protector" or "protector advice".