Ohio's most popular baby names in 1940

In the year 1940, the state of Ohio saw a surge in the popularity of certain baby names. Mary, Barbara, and Patricia emerged as the most popular names for baby girls, while Robert, James, and John were the top choices for baby boys. These names were not only popular in Ohio, but across the United States as well. Each name had its own unique meaning and history, reflecting the cultural and social values of the time. As a historian and expert on names, it is fascinating to explore the trends and patterns that emerge in baby naming practices, and to see how they evolve over time.

Most popular baby girl names in Ohio in 1940

Based on the data from Ohio in 1940, the most popular baby girl names were Mary, Barbara, Patricia, Carol, and Judith. Mary was the most popular name with 2692 registered births, followed by Barbara with 2087 births, Patricia with 1927 births, Carol with 1759 births, and Judith with 1661 births. These names were likely influenced by popular culture, family traditions, and religious affiliations. The popularity of these names may have also been influenced by the social and political climate of the time. Overall, these names reflect the trends and preferences of parents in Ohio during the year 1940.

Mary

2692 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Barbara

2087 baby girls born in Ohio (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

1927 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Carol

1759 baby girls born in Ohio (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

1661 baby girls born in Ohio (1940) named Judith
The name Judith is of Hebrew origin and means "woman of Judea" or "praised".
Nancy
1409 baby girls born in Ohio (1940) named Nancy
The name Nancy is of English origin and means "grace" or "favor".
Linda
1277 baby girls born in Ohio (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
1129 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Judy
921 baby girls born in Ohio (1940) named Judy
Shirley
896 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Janet
895 baby girls born in Ohio (1940) named Janet
The name Janet is of Scottish origin and is the diminutive form of the name Jane, meaning "God is gracious".
Joyce
893 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Betty
840 baby girls born in Ohio (1940) named Betty
The name Betty is a diminutive form of Elizabeth and means "pledged to God" or "God is my oath".
Donna
765 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Carolyn
735 baby girls born in Ohio (1940) 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.
Margaret
718 baby girls born in Ohio (1940) named Margaret
The name Margaret is of Greek origin and means "pearl".
Marilyn
678 baby girls born in Ohio (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".
Ruth
677 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Joan
615 baby girls born in Ohio (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.
Beverly
591 baby girls born in Ohio (1940) named Beverly
The name Beverly is of English origin and its meaning is "dweller near the beaver stream".

Most popular baby boy names in Ohio in 1940

According to the records of Ohio in 1940, the most popular baby boy names were Robert, James, John, William, and Richard. Robert was the most popular name with 3442 babies given that name, followed by James with 3289 babies, John with 2924 babies, William with 2408 babies, and Richard with 2326 babies. These names were likely influenced by popular culture and historical figures of the time.

Robert

3442 baby boys born in Ohio (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

3289 baby boys born in Ohio (1940) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
John

2924 baby boys born in Ohio (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

2408 baby boys born in Ohio (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

2326 baby boys born in Ohio (1940) named Richard
The name Richard means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader".
David
1961 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Charles
1585 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Thomas
1541 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Ronald
1485 baby boys born in Ohio (1940) named Ronald
The name Ronald means "ruler's counselor" or "wise ruler" and is of Scottish origin.
Donald
1424 baby boys born in Ohio (1940) named Donald
Donald is a Scottish name that means "world ruler" or "ruler of the world".
Larry
1361 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Paul
954 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Kenneth
911 baby boys born in Ohio (1940) named Kenneth
The name Kenneth is of Scottish origin and means "handsome" or "born of fire".
Jerry
850 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Gary
834 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
George
787 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Joseph
787 baby boys born in Ohio (1940) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Michael
695 baby boys born in Ohio (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.
Edward
667 baby boys born in Ohio (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".
Gerald
594 baby boys born in Ohio (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.